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Letter row: UP Home Secretary removed
Phailin fury
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CHHATTISGARH ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
UP MLA’s wife ‘killed’ by stepsons for property
Adnan Sami faces MNS heat after visa expiry
China supplying arms to insurgents: Report
Army orders fresh board for top JAG promotions
Govt not responding to Chinese threat with firmness: RSS
MHA plans more teeth to power ITBP
Brutality can’t be sole criteria for awarding death penalty: SC
7 TN fishermen injured in attack by Lankans
Teacher gets life term for raping minor student
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Letter row: UP Home Secretary removed
The letter had caused a flutter in political circles forcing the state government to take action late last night. It had been evasive on setting a deadline for fixing responsibility earlier in the day. The Department of Home’s communiqué of October 8 calling a high-level meeting on October 14 had as is its subject “Regarding the construction of temple at Ramjanambhoomi like the reconstruction of Somnath temple, with the enacting of a parliamentary law by Government of India”. During a press conference, Principal Secretary, Home, RM Srivastava had described it is as a clerical mistake and negligence on the part of Home Department officials. He had assured of action against the guilty but did not specify a time-frame saying that it would be done after an inquiry. However, senior minister Mohd Azam Khan said that the matter was serious and the government would not treat it otherwise. Opposition parties also came out strongly questioning the hidden intent of the state government. Late last night, the state government decided to limit further damage by taking action. costly mistake
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Phailin fury
New Delhi, October 13 Rainfall is also expected in north Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Gangetic plains of West Bengal. While in the northwest the cyclone has had no impact but its weakening is linked to the withdrawal of extended session of monsoon. According to Rathore, monsoon will begin withdrawing from the northwest 48 hours after the cyclone weakens. The strongest storm to hit India in 14 years, Phailin left a trail of destruction along the eastern seaboard but fortunately little loss of life was reported after the authorities carried out what was termed as one of the biggest evacuation operations. Close to 10 lakh people are understood to have taken refuge in shelters. Claiming “zero loss of life” after the cyclone made a landfall, Rathore also credited India’s Met office for “accurately” predicting the cyclonic system in terms of intensity and time of landfall. “We made correct forecast of the intensity and the rainfall. The time and place of landfall was also correct,” he said, making the comparison between the predicted and actual path of the cyclonic system. While there have been observations by some international forecasters of India downplaying the system, but Rathore says the IMD’s prediction of Phailin’s wind speed and intensity was “quite correct”. The challenge before the authorities will now be to rehabilitate and restore normalcy in the devastated areas. Massive damage has been reported to infrastructure, power and communication lines have snapped and tracts of rice fields destroyed. Apart from this, affected areas will have to monitored against breakout of an epidemic. Originally categorised as “very severe”, Phailin has now been downgraded to “severe”. It will subsequently be categoried as “deep depression” and put in the class of “depression”, as per prevailing trends. Making of a cyclone
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No major loss of life in AP, but crop damage extensive
Hyderabad, October 13 The high state of preparedness on the part of the administration, massive evacuation from vulnerable areas and increased public awareness helped in effective handling of the situation. “Thanks to the accurate forecast by the meteorology department and modern satellite imaging and communication technologies, we could prevent human losses,” a top official of the Revenue Department said. However, the damage to the public properties like roads, electricity and telecom systems is immense and it may take weeks to restore them. Thousands of acres of agricultural crops were destroyed, fishermen lost boats and nets and thousands of others were rendered homeless. The prevention of human loss can be attributed to the advanced warnings issued by the Centre and state governments and the proactive role played by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The NDMA’s response force (NDRF) had swung into action two days before the storm crossed the coast and Army, Navy and Air Force personnel were also roped in to evacuate over 2.20 lakh people from vulnerable areas to safe places. Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy announced setting up of a State-level Disaster Response Force (SDRF), on the lines of the NDRF, to tackle such emergency situations in future. Initially, SDRF will have 1,000 personnel and they would be given top class training. The SDRF would be based in the coastal district of Krishna. He directed the Chief Secretary and other senior officials of various departments to make all out efforts for speedy enumeration of crop losses to help the farmer in time. Kiran directed the officials to take up relief and restoration works on war-footing. He asked the officials to distribute 10 kg of rice to each of the 43,000 fisherman families in the affected districts. Special teams will be stationed at various districts to continue the relief works till the water receded. The Chief Minister assured that all the affected farmers would be given compensation as per norms. Meanwhile, teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Andhra Pradesh fire department personnel have been clearing highways, blocked with uprooted trees and electricity poles. State Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy said initial reports indicated that 30,000 acres of agriculture and horticulture crops and 1,000 houses were damaged in Srikakulam district. According to him, 400 km-long electricity wires suffered damages during the past 24 hours. Fresh initiative
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy announced a State-level Disaster Response Force (SDRF), on the lines of the NDRF, to tackle such emergency situations in future Initially, SDRF will have 1,000 personnel and they would be given top class training. The SDRF would be based in the coastal district of Krishna Reddy directed the Chief Secretary and other senior officials of various departments to make all out efforts for speedy enumeration of crop losses to help the farmer in time Kiran asked the officials to distribute 10 kg of rice to each of the 43,000 fisherman families in the affected districts
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Flood alert sounded in Bihar
Patna, October 13 “The district magistrates concerned were directed to take all precautionary measures to deal with any flood-like situation on the basis of the IMD’s warning,” Officer on Special Duty in Disaster Management Department (DMD) Vipin Kumar Rai told PTI. “We have paid heed to the IMD warning since October 10 and put the flood-prone districts on alert to deal with any untoward situation,” he said. The IMD had warned of flood-like situation in Bihar due to heavy rainfall caused by atmospheric pressure created by Phailin. Rai said two NDRF teams have been deployed in Supaul and one each in Darbhanga and Gopalganj districts with IMD predicting heavy rainfall in north Bihar districts, particularly in those located in the upper catchment area bordering Nepal that may cause Koshi and Gandak rivers to be in spate. In addition, one team of the State Disaster Response Force each has been put in place at Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Jehanabad and Patna districts, while a reserve SDRF team will remain stationed in the state capital. CM Nitish Kumar had held a meeting with senior officials, including the chief secretary and the state police chief three days ago to review flood preparedness. He had also directed district magistrates of the flood prone districts to take necessary action.
— PTI
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Rehab next challenge: Odisha CM
Bhubaneswar, October 13 “With your cooperation, we have successfully evacuated almost nine lakh people and minimised loss of human life during the cyclone,” Patnaik said. With seven deaths in comparison to the loss of nearly 10,000 lives in the super cyclone in 1999, he said “I think, we have been successful in minimising the loss of precious lives.” Patnaik said rehabilitation is a big challenge for the state government as property valued at several crore of rupees was lost in the cyclone. “I will see to it, how soon we can get people rehabilitated. I am sure, with your active support, this should also be possible smoothly. Thank you very much once again,” the Chief Minister said. Asserting that Odisha undertook one of the largest evacuations in the country, Patnaik said, “The impact of the cyclone will of course die down with the passage of time. Normalcy will come back soon. Our primary responsibility was to protect the valuable lives of our citizens.” He said people had been urged not to panic and cooperate with the state government’s efforts. “I thank all of you for honouring my request.” A senior official said it was expected that national and state highways and roads connecting district headquarters would be cleared by evening, as also power and water supply in Bhubaneswar. Electricity was restored in the state headquarters hospital and the SCB Medical College and Hospital. He said over 2,34,000 shelters would be provided to the people.
— PTI
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Telangana tussle
"There is agitation in Andhra Pradesh. Seemandhra people are worried about education, employment, revenue sharing, water resources and the status of Hyderabad besides its future," the TDP leader told reporters after emerging out of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where he was admitted on the fifth day of his hunger strike on Friday against Telangana creation and forcibly administered intravenous fluids yesterday. He accused the Congress of not following "proper procedures" in bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. "The way in which the division process is being done is objectionable. They are not following any system or procedure," he said. Naidu took exception to what he called non-involvement of leaders from the state in the bifurcation process. “I am asking the Congress. Are there no local leaders? are there no statesmen?," he asked. The TDP leader alleged that the Congress leaders like Digvijay Singh, Veerappa Moily and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde were giving contradicting statements on the bifurcation issue. Naidu also appealed to the national parties to put pressure on Congress to provide "justice" for Telugu people. "The Congress should hold talks with people from both sides to resolve the issue amicably," he said. Meanwhile, RML hospital authorities said Naidu was discharged today as he was "stable" and the TDP leader wanted to visit Hyderabad. On the fifth day of his hunger strike on Friday against Telangana creation, the 63-year-old TDP chief was forcibly evicted by police from Andhra Bhavan here amid high drama and chaos. Naidu was on hunger strike on the premises since Monday to protest against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
The TDP chief was forcibly administered intravenous fluids, after his health deteriorated on the sixth day of indefinite fast. — PTI AP division wrong The way in which the division process is being done is objectionable. The Congress is not following any system or procedure. Are there no local leaders? Are there no statesmen? — Chandrababu Naidu, Telugu Desam Party chief
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CHHATTISGARH ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
New Delhi, October 13 In the fray against BJP candidates this time would be the kin of Congress leaders done to death by the Maoists this year including Nand Kumar Patel, Chhattisgarh Congress chief; Mahendra Karma, a senior party leader and founder of anti-Maoist force Salwa Judum; and Uday Mudliyar, a former legislator of the Congress from the Assembly constituency that Chief Minister Raman Singh represents. Convinced that the sympathy wave would go in its favour, the Congress president cleared the name of Umesh Patel, a political greenhorn and the younger son of Nand Kumar Patel who along with his elder son Dinesh was abducted and murdered by Naxals on May 26, a day after the Maoists struck a Congress convoy on the Bastar-Sukma national highway while it was returning from a political rally. The Congress announced the candidature of Umesh even though he is to contest from Kharsia segment where elections are to be held in the phase later than the first phase on November 11. All other names in the list are those of the candidates fielded for seats which will witness polls in the first phase. “The name of Umesh Patel was announced to send a message to the Congress rank and file and the voters in Chhattisgarh that the party deeply values the sacrifices of its leaders,” said a Chhattisgarh PCC member. An important candidate in the Congress list is Alka Mudliyar, the wife of former party legislator Uday Mudliyar who also died in the Maoist attack on May 25. Sonia has chosen Alka to challenge CM Raman Singh in Rajnandgaon constituency. Raman Singh holds this seat since he defeated Uday Mudliyar here. At the moment, the Congress is hoping Alka would be able to mount the best challenge to the CM given the sympathy generated in the wake of her husband’s killing by
Naxals. Another candidate announced by the Congress is Devti Karma, the wife of Mahendra Karma. She has been fielded from Dantewada tribal seat. Also in the party list as a candidate from Konta is sitting MLA from the seat Kawasi Lakhma, the only surviving Congress leader from the convoy attacked by Maoists. A three-time MLA from Konta, Lakhma is considered close to former CM Ajit Jogi. Riding on sympathy Alka Mudliyar, wife of former party legislator Uday Mudliyar Devti Karma, wife of Mahendra Karma Kawasi Lakhma, the only Congress leader who survived the attack Umesh Patel, younger son of Nand Kumar Patel
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Gurbani rendition marks prayer meeting in RS Talwar’s memory
New Delhi, October 13 The Tribune Trust President Justice SS Sodhi (retd) and Trustee Naresh Mohan led the distinguished gathering present at the simple prayer meeting, which included Delhi’s Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, in paying their last respects to the former Punjab Chief Secretary. Among those present included Members of Parliament Ashwani Kumar, Naresh Gujral and HK Dua besides the former Finance Minister of Punjab Surinder Singla. Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune Raj Chengappa and officiating General Manager Vinay Verma were among those who paid floral tributes to the departed soul. The Tribune Trust union members were also present. Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal sent separate condolence messages to the bereaved family. Badal hailed the contribution Talwar made towards the progress to Punjab when he was the Chief Secretary of the state. Talwar, who would have turned 94 on October 18, passed away here on October 10 after a brief illness. He is survived by wife Veera Talwar, sons Rana and Amar and daughter Dimpy Soni. Talwar had been a Trustee of The Tribune since 1986 and took over as the President of the Trust in December 2007. He remained the Tribune Trust President till April 2012, when he relinquished the post but continued as a Trustee. During his tenure as the President, The Tribune grew in strength, witnessed innovative changes and launched several new products that enabled it to consolidate its leadership in the region. Talwar did MSc (Honours) in physics with distinction from Government College, Lahore. Prior to joining the IAS, he joined the Royal Air Force as an officer in 1941. At the end of World War II, he was selected for the civil service and assigned to Punjab. He retired from the IAS in 1977 after 36 years of distinguished service.
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UP MLA’s wife ‘killed’ by stepsons for property
New Delhi, October 13 They were helped by their driver Nadeem, who was arrested from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh this morning, the police claimed. Rehana was murdered over a property dispute, they said, adding her two stepsons are yet to be arrested. Rehana, the second wife of Aleem, was found murdered on October 9 morning at her New Jafrabad residence in North East Delhi while he was out of India on haj. The police official said that Aleem returned the next day and was in Bulandshahr during Rehana’s last rites. He said that breakthrough came following Nadeem’s arrest. “During interrogation, Nadeem named the sons of the MLA,” the police official said. Rehana married Aleem in 1990. The couple has no children.
— PTI
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Adnan Sami faces MNS heat after visa expiry
Mumbai, October 13 After it emerged during the court proceedings that Sami was still in India despite the expiry of his visa, the MNS got into the act and demanded that he be asked the leave the country immediately. "We asked him to leave the country immediately as his visa has expired," Amey Khopkar, who heads the Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena, the film wing of the party said on Saturday. Khopkar said Sami was summoned by the outfit after news that his visa had expired. "Sami told us that his passport was being renewed and requested our co-operation," Khopkar said. The Mumbai police say they are now looking into the matter. The Foreigner's Branch of the Mumbai police are supposed to keep track of ‘aliens’, particularly Pakistanis’ and see that they leave the country on expiry of their visa.
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China supplying arms to insurgents: Report
New Delhi, October 13 Between 2006 and 2010 Beijing has supplied such weapons to 46 countries, including Pakistan, Myanmar and Bangladesh besides strife-torn countries in Africa and conflict areas in Latin America. With almost no control at the end of the user, some of these weapons have been re-directed to groups which pose a threat to peace and security, including pirates. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute [SIPRI], an independent international institute researching conflict, armaments and arms sales, in its latest policy-paper titled ‘China’s Exports of Small Arms and Light Weapons’ come out with a details of weapons and examples of how these were being misused. The 68-page SIPRI report was released globally on October 10. Small arms are rifles, pistols and machine guns while light weapons include grenade launchers, mortars etc. African states account for the largest share of imports of small arms and lethal weapons. This has caused “concern with regard to their potential impacts on peace, stability and security in the importing states”, it said. In Asia, Pakistan and Bangladesh - India’s neighbours -- are the biggest recipients of the arms, both of direct deliveries as well as licensed production arrangements and technology transfers. In the Middle East, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar imported weapons from China in the period 2006-10. The reports says, “There is a significant evidence to indicate that armed non-state actors in South Asia ( Pakistan and Bangladesh are part of this region), South East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Middle East are using weapons produced in China.” The weapons may have been stolen from government stocks or seized from government forces on the battlefield. “In many cases it appears that states have imported weapons from China and then re-transferred them to armed non-state actors,” says the report. The SIPRI is a significant development explains what prompts China and why it has emerged as important exporter of arms. “Attention has focused on the correlations between sources of natural resources for China’s growing economy and its recipients of arms, with suggestions that China is targeting resource-rich states in the hope of securing access to energy and raw materials.” The SIPRI virtually indicts China saying “It is clear that China is an important supplier of weapons to states in the developing world, and fragile and conflict-affected states in particular.” It cites how China has never submitted information on such sales to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. (UNROCA) and says “China is also among the least transparent exporters of weapons, as it provides official information on neither the volume nor the value of authorised exports or deliveries”. The Findings
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Army orders fresh board for top JAG promotions
Chandigarh, October 13 On September 27, the apex court had dismissed an SLP filed by the Union of India against the order of the Chandigarh Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal that had held the selection board proceedings as not tenable after top JAG officers had alleged gross irregularities and manipulations in the selection process. Sources said that consequent to the SC order, the Army has issued orders for convening the fresh selection board that is scheduled to take place later this month. Three JAG officers, Brig Dinker Adeeb, Brig PK Sharma and Brig T. Prashad, all three of the 1981 batch, would be considered for promotion as fresh review cases. At the same time, the Army has also issued instructions cancelling the selection board for the 1984 batch JAG officers that was scheduled to take place this month. Sources said that there was a single officer as a contender for promotion in this batch. In a selection board held earlier in which the three afore mentioned brigadiers had been considered, Brig Prashad, said to be the junior most among them had made it to the rank of major general. The other officers had averred that Brig Parshad was granted out-of-turn relief by expunging some of his ACRs hastily on the eve of the selection board in violation of rules. His name was then considered with a changed improved profile resulting in his empanelment and supersession of seniors. While the Army policy mandates that all inputs and career profiles of officers are frozen five days prior to the selection board’s meeting, Brig Prashad’s profile was changed a day before the meeting. The Army’s instructions now stipulate that Brig Prashad is to be considered for promotion on the basis of his earlier career profile and relief granted to him is not to be considered.
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Govt not responding to Chinese threat with firmness: RSS
Nagpur, October 13 “Dark clouds are hovering on our national security as China continues to test our mettle and patience by (carrying out) frequent incursions across our borders, besides dumping its products in our country,” Bhagwat said addressing the annual Dasehra rally here. He said, “China and Pakistan repeatedly intruded into Indian territory with the latest incident being attack on a police station and an Army camp in Jammu by Pakistan.” “Some Hindu businessmen in Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir district were attacked by a section of other communities who raised pro-Pakistani slogans,” the RSS chief claimed. He also criticised Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his statement to a European delegation recently that the state was only acceded and not formally merged with India. Bhagwat also attacked Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar for coming out with a “pro-minority” directive to state governments and his “inept” handling of murders of some Hindu leaders in Tamil Nadu by fundamentalists.
— PTI
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MHA plans more teeth to power ITBP
According to sources in the MHA, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which guards the India-China border, is procuring two helicopters on the lines of the Mi-17s, used by the Indian Air Force (IAF). These choppers will be procured by next year on a one-year lease for the ITBP’s regular operations and in emergency situations in Leh and Uttarakhand. The procurement of the two choppers would be crucial for the transportation of men and material to the forward posts located in the high-altitude areas in Leh, which remain cut off during the snow season, according to the sources. Mountain sickness further compounds their problem. In 2010, a constable serving at a border post in Arunachal Pradesh, fell sick and died. The ITBP post was cut off from the mainland and as his body began decomposing, his comrades had no choice but to cremate him there. In a continued effort to give the ITBP more teeth and modernise it, the force will soon acquire two speed boats at the cost of Rs 4 crore for patrolling the Pangong Tso (lake) in Leh, through which the Line of Actual Control (LAC) runs. Located at an altitude of 14,270 feet, the 134-km-long lake extends from India to Tibet. While the procurement plans for these boats were made in 2004, they will be acquired by next year. As per the MHA sources: “This is the first time that the ITBP will be patrolling the lake.” Currently, the Indian Army is using speed boats to regularly patrol the lake on the Indian side of the LAC, like the Chinese Army does on their half. With the acquisition of new speed boats by the ITBP, patrolling activities between the Army and ITBP will need more deliberation. The ITBP also plans to procure 10 all-terrain vehicles that can be easily used in the high altitude areas of eastern Ladakh, according to the sources. The force has already acquired 55 tractors to help level the grounds in the mountainous areas. The force also plans to have eight speed boats to patrol Lohit and Brahmaputra rivers. They will also be acquiring an automated long range surveillance system, similar to the Long Range Reconnaissance and Observation System (LORROS), for round-the-clock surveillance along the India-China border. The ITBP is manning border outposts at altitudes ranging from 9000 feet to 18,700 feet in the western, middle and eastern sectors of the India-China Border. Getting new resources would be a tremendous morale boosting factor for them, according to the sources. Apart from focusing on the border, the ITBP plans to use the choppers for emergency rescue efforts in disaster prone areas in Uttarakhand, according to the sources. In mid-June this year, floods had ravaged Uttarakhand, killing thousands of people, a large number of them were hapless pilgrims. The IAF launched its biggest helicopter operations in its history to rescue the people. The ITBP was also intensely involved in the rescue efforts and had to be dependent on the IAF for the transportation of its troops to the affected areas. Sprucing up the force
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Brutality can’t be sole criteria for awarding death penalty: SC
New Delhi, October 13 A Bench comprising justices H L Dattu, S J Mukhopadhaya and M Y Eqbal made the observation while cautioning courts to act with utmost responsibility when awarding death penalty as it is the exception and life sentence is the rule. "In a civilised society, a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye ought not to be the criterion to clothe a case with rarest of the rare jacket and the courts must not be propelled by such notions in a haste resorting to capital punishment... "Our criminal jurisprudence cautions the courts of law to act with utmost responsibility by analysing the finest strands of the matter and it is in that perspective a reasonable proportion has to be maintained between the brutality of the crime and the punishment," the Bench said. Dwarikendra had been convicted and awarded capital punishment for stabbing to death a man, his pregnant wife and their five-year-old son after inviting them to his home for lunch.
— PTI
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7 TN fishermen injured in attack by Lankans
Nagapattinam, October 13 The mid-sea attack occurred hours after four fishermen of Vellapallam in the district were injured in a similar incident yesterday morning with one of them being hospitalised here. In the second incident, Kannaiyan and six others, who had ventured into the sea on Friday from Arucottuthurai, were fishing in Indian waters off Kodiakarai when Sri Lankan fishermen surrounded them. They jumped onto the boats of the seven fishermen and attacked them with sickles and stones and took away their fish catch and GPS equipment before fleeing from there.
— PTI
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Teacher gets life term for raping minor student
Vadodara, October 13 Pronouncing the judgement on Saturday, Second Additional District Sessions Judge R A Ghoghari observed, “It is one of the cases where a pious and sacred relationship has been ravished.” Dismissing pleas of leniency for the married teacher, Pranav Manubhai Patel, made by his defence lawyer, the Judge said, “Trust has been betrayed and social values have been impaired.” Besides a fine of Rs 50,000 slapped on him, he has been asked to pay compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the victim. The convict used to run tuition classes at his residence and parents had sent their daughter to him for coaching since the sixth standard student was weak in several subjects. — PTI
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Lucknow, October 13
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