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A Delhi court on Friday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel-Maxis cases till May 6.

The cases are being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The ED, through its counsel Advocate Naveen Kumar Matta, sought adjournment of the matter for four weeks as the response to Letters Rogatory from Singapore is awaited.

The court fixed the next date of hearing as May 6.

During the course of today's hearing, Chidambaram's counsel insisted on argument and objected ED's demand for a four-week extension.

The court, however, adjourned the matter to May 6 for arguments on bail but told the ED that the matter won't be delayed any further.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented the father-son duo, argued why bail cannot be granted to their clients when a charge sheet in the matter has been filed.

"They should show the court what they have found. Till then they should grant us bail. As and when they come up with the information we will come to you. CBI has not gone further in the matter. We should get bail in CBI case," said Sibal.

"There is a triple test that we need to look into. Just because someone says that they may get something that doesn't mean the bail cannot be granted," Singhvi argued.

The ED's counsel then retorted to Sibal's statement, saying it was incorrect to say that no steps were taken.

"We have deputed a senior officer in Singapore. We have taken steps even in March and we have put that on the affidavit."

The case pertains to an approval granted by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), a body under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to Mauritius-based firm Global Communication and Services Holdings Limited for investment in Aircel in alleged violation of norms.

The FIPB approval was allegedly granted in 2006 when Chidambaram was India's Finance Minister.

According to rules and foreign direct investment (FDI) policy of the Central government, Chidambaram was only empowered to give approval to proposals involving foreign investment up to Rs 600 crore.

However, he is accused of approving foreign investment proposal of Global Communication and Services Holdings Ltd worth around Rs 3,560 crore.

A Delhi court on Friday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel-Maxis cases till May 6.

A Delhi court on Friday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel-Maxis cases till May 6. The cases are being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED, through its counsel Advocate Naveen Kumar Matta, sought adjournment of the matter for four weeks as the response to Letters Rogatory from Singapore is awaited. The court fixed the next date of hearing as May 6. During the course of today's hearing, Chidambaram's counsel insisted on argument and objected ED's demand for a four-week extension. The court, however, adjourned the matter to May 6 for arguments on bail but told the ED that the matter won't be delayed any further. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented the father-son duo, argued why bail cannot be granted to their clients when a charge sheet in the matter has been filed. "They should show the court what they have found. Till then they should grant us bail. As and when they come up with the information we will come to you. CBI has not gone further in the matter. We should get bail in CBI case," said Sibal. "There is a triple test that we need to look into. Just because someone says that they may get something that doesn't mean the bail cannot be granted," Singhvi argued. The ED's counsel then retorted to Sibal's statement, saying it was incorrect to say that no steps were taken. "We have deputed a senior officer in Singapore. We have taken steps even in March and we have put that on the affidavit." The case pertains to an approval granted by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), a body under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to Mauritius-based firm Global Communication and Services Holdings Limited for investment in Aircel in alleged violation of norms. The FIPB approval was allegedly granted in 2006 when Chidambaram was India's Finance Minister. According to rules and foreign direct investment (FDI) policy of the Central government, Chidambaram was only empowered to give approval to proposals involving foreign investment up to Rs 600 crore. However, he is accused of approving foreign investment proposal of Global Communication and Services Holdings Ltd worth around Rs 3,560 crore.

Aircel-Maxis case: Protection from arrest to P Chidambaram, son Karti extended till May 6

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-president-xi-defends-belt-and-road-says-not-exclusive-club-213575">Chinese President Xi defends Belt and Road, says 'not exclusive club'</a>

Chinese President Xi Jinping sought Friday to ease growing concerns about his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, vowing to prevent debt risks and saying his global infrastructure project "is not an exclusive club".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macrons-main-measures-in-response-to-yellow-vest-protests-213552">French President Macron outlines response including tax cuts to months of 'yellow vest' protests</a>

At the first major news conference on domestic policy of his presidency, Emmanuel Macron pledged to cut taxes on Thursday and said the French would have to work longer as he outlined his response to months of anti-government protests that have shaken his authority.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-referendum-firms-up-sisi-rule-as-regional-unrest-flares-213558">Egypt referendum firms up Sisi rule as regional unrest flares&nbsp;</a>

As mass protests rock other Arab countries, a snap referendum in Egypt has gone against the grain and cemented President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's rule for years to come.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyclone-kenneth-hits-mozambique-after-lashing-comoros-213569">Cyclone Kenneth hits Mozambique after lashing Comoros</a>

Cyclone Kenneth battered northern Mozambique on Thursday with gusts of up to 280 km per hour (174 miles per hour) after killing three people on the island nation of Comoros overnight.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-pm-modi-to-file-his-nomination-from-varanasi-parliamentary-seat-today-213557">Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Modi to file nomination from Varanasi today</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will file his nomination for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Varanasi on Friday.

All senior leaders of the BJP, NDA and North East Democratic Alliance are expected to be present in the city to mark the occasion. For today, the Prime Minister is expected to begin his schedule with prayers at the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Chinese President Xi defends Belt and Road, says 'not exclusive club' Chinese President Xi Jinping sought Friday to ease growing concerns about his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, vowing to prevent debt risks and saying his global infrastructure project "is not an exclusive club".

Chinese President Xi defends Belt and Road, says 'not exclusive club' Chinese President Xi Jinping sought Friday to ease growing concerns about his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, vowing to prevent debt risks and saying his global infrastructure project "is not an exclusive club". French President Macron outlines response including tax cuts to months of 'yellow vest' protests At the first major news conference on domestic policy of his presidency, Emmanuel Macron pledged to cut taxes on Thursday and said the French would have to work longer as he outlined his response to months of anti-government protests that have shaken his authority. Egypt referendum firms up Sisi rule as regional unrest flares As mass protests rock other Arab countries, a snap referendum in Egypt has gone against the grain and cemented President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's rule for years to come. Cyclone Kenneth hits Mozambique after lashing Comoros Cyclone Kenneth battered northern Mozambique on Thursday with gusts of up to 280 km per hour (174 miles per hour) after killing three people on the island nation of Comoros overnight. Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Modi to file nomination from Varanasi today Prime Minister Narendra Modi will file his nomination for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Varanasi on Friday. All senior leaders of the BJP, NDA and North East Democratic Alliance are expected to be present in the city to mark the occasion. For today, the Prime Minister is expected to begin his schedule with prayers at the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-india-gives-befitting-reply-to-terror-pm-modi-213515">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> will file his nomination for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Varanasi on Friday.

All senior leaders of the BJP, NDA and North East Democratic Alliance are expected to be present in the city to mark the occasion. For today, the Prime Minister is expected to begin his schedule with prayers at the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

According to sources, BJP workers are giving final touches to the itinerary of the day, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-holds-mega-roadshow-in-varanasi-213438">which includes another road show</a> as Prime Minister proceeds to file his nomination. He may also hold media interaction.

A day before, the Prime Minister held a grand roadshow in Varanasi along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister JP Nadda, UP and Delhi BJP chiefs, Mahendra Nath Pandey and Manoj Tiwari.

The roadshow began after paying his tributes at Pt Madan Mohan Malviya's statue outside Banaras Hindu University. The rally, stretching over 6km, had passed through Lanka and Madanpura areas of the city and end at the famed Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Before embarking on the roadshow, PM Modi had said that his scheduled programmes in "beloved Kashi" would give him an opportunity to interact with his “sisters and brothers” of the town.

"After bumper rallies in Darbhanga and Banda, I am heading to beloved Kashi. There are a series of programmes lined up, which would give me another excellent opportunity to interact with my sisters and brothers of Kashi. Har Har Mahadev!" Modi had tweeted.

Later in the evening, PM Modi also participated in the Ganga Aarti on the banks of the holy river. After that, he had an interaction with select intellectuals at Hotel De Paris.

PM Modi is contesting against Congress' Ajay Rai and SP leader Shalini Yadav. Congress on Thursday had announced that it would field Rai as its candidate from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, putting to rest speculation regarding Priyanka GandhiVadra contesting the general elections against Prime Minister Modi. This would be the second time&nbsp;Prime Minister&nbsp;Modi and&nbsp;&nbsp;Rai&nbsp;will battle from&nbsp;Varanasi&nbsp;seat.

PM Modi held similar mega road shows in 2014 - both before and after winning the constituency in the 16th Lok Sabha elections. Three years later, the Prime Minister hit the streets of Varanasi for campaigning during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Modi won from Varanasi by a margin of 3.37 lakh votes. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Rai were among the candidates from the seat. While Kejriwal came in the second place, Rai stood third in the vote tally.

Varanasi will go to polls on May 19 in the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will file his nomination for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Varanasi on Friday. All senior leaders of the BJP, NDA and North East Democratic Alliance are expected to be present in the city to mark the occasion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will file his nomination for Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Varanasi on Friday. All senior leaders of the BJP, NDA and North East Democratic Alliance are expected to be present in the city to mark the occasion. For today, the Prime Minister is expected to begin his schedule with prayers at the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple. According to sources, BJP workers are giving final touches to the itinerary of the day, which includes another road show as Prime Minister proceeds to file his nomination. He may also hold media interaction. A day before, the Prime Minister held a grand roadshow in Varanasi along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister JP Nadda, UP and Delhi BJP chiefs, Mahendra Nath Pandey and Manoj Tiwari. The roadshow began after paying his tributes at Pt Madan Mohan Malviya's statue outside Banaras Hindu University. The rally, stretching over 6km, had passed through Lanka and Madanpura areas of the city and end at the famed Dashashwamedh Ghat. Before embarking on the roadshow, PM Modi had said that his scheduled programmes in "beloved Kashi" would give him an opportunity to interact with his “sisters and brothers” of the town. "After bumper rallies in Darbhanga and Banda, I am heading to beloved Kashi. There are a series of programmes lined up, which would give me another excellent opportunity to interact with my sisters and brothers of Kashi. Har Har Mahadev!" Modi had tweeted. Later in the evening, PM Modi also participated in the Ganga Aarti on the banks of the holy river. After that, he had an interaction with select intellectuals at Hotel De Paris. PM Modi is contesting against Congress' Ajay Rai and SP leader Shalini Yadav. Congress on Thursday had announced that it would field Rai as its candidate from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, putting to rest speculation regarding Priyanka GandhiVadra contesting the general elections against Prime Minister Modi. This would be the second time Prime Minister Modi and Rai will battle from Varanasi seat. PM Modi held similar mega road shows in 2014 - both before and after winning the constituency in the 16th Lok Sabha elections. Three years later, the Prime Minister hit the streets of Varanasi for campaigning during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Modi won from Varanasi by a margin of 3.37 lakh votes. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Rai were among the candidates from the seat. While Kejriwal came in the second place, Rai stood third in the vote tally. Varanasi will go to polls on May 19 in the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Modi to file nomination from Varanasi today

The Mizoram police deported eight young Rohingya women, suspected to be victims of human trafficking, to neighbouring Assam on Friday after they were arrested near the border of the two states in Kolasib district a day ago, police said.

The women, aged between 18-22, were arrested at the Vairengte police checkpoint on the Mizoram-Assam border while trying to enter the state without any valid travel documents on Thursday, the police said.

The eight women were produced before a fast-track court, which fined them Rs 50 each and ordered that they should be pushed back to Assam. The state police handed them to the Young Muslim Association (YMA) of Bagha town in Assam's Cachar district.

The women have been identified as Toyabah Begum, Tasim, Noorkayash, Atariza, Swaminara Begum, Rubina, Sanwara Begum and Serkhu.

The women said they were from the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar. They claimed that they were shopping at a market last Friday when a group of men abducted them. The Rohingya were taken away in a truck and brought to Silchar, the district headquarters of Cachar district.

The women said they were transported for Aizawl, where they were supposed to handed over to some people near a petrol pump at Zemabawk locality by the driver.&nbsp;

The Mizoram police deported eight young Rohingya women, suspected to be victims of human trafficking, to neighbouring Assam on Friday after they were arrested near the border of the two states in Kolasib district a day ago, police said.

The Mizoram police deported eight young Rohingya women, suspected to be victims of human trafficking, to neighbouring Assam on Friday after they were arrested near the border of the two states in Kolasib district a day ago, police said. The women, aged between 18-22, were arrested at the Vairengte police checkpoint on the Mizoram-Assam border while trying to enter the state without any valid travel documents on Thursday, the police said. The eight women were produced before a fast-track court, which fined them Rs 50 each and ordered that they should be pushed back to Assam. The state police handed them to the Young Muslim Association (YMA) of Bagha town in Assam's Cachar district. The women have been identified as Toyabah Begum, Tasim, Noorkayash, Atariza, Swaminara Begum, Rubina, Sanwara Begum and Serkhu. The women said they were from the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar. They claimed that they were shopping at a market last Friday when a group of men abducted them. The Rohingya were taken away in a truck and brought to Silchar, the district headquarters of Cachar district. The women said they were transported for Aizawl, where they were supposed to handed over to some people near a petrol pump at Zemabawk locality by the driver.

8 Rohingya women deported back to Assam by Mizoram police

A 35-member women police team 'Sthree Shakthi'&nbsp;was launched in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.&nbsp;

The 35-member team has woman ASIs, head constables, police constables and home guards. The team has been provided 25 vehicles, including two four-wheelers.

"It is a 35 members team. We have started with 25 vehicles, 5 four wheelers and rest are motorcycles and scooters. This is mainly for the protection of women. The women-related issue can be informed to the team and then they will take action accordingly. From drivers to police personnel, everyone is a woman," said Andhra Pradesh DGP AP Thakur.&nbsp;

"In Visakhapatnam, there are a number of educational institutions and workplaces where women are working in large numbers. Our prime concern is to ensure safety to women," he said.&nbsp;

The initiative was taken to provide security to women and girls. All the police constables were imparted training in the car driving,&nbsp;&nbsp;swimming, communication skills and self-defence for one month.

They all will be deployed on important junctions of the city. They will handle women-related issues including eve-teasers and trouble-mongers.&nbsp;

The Shakthi police will don a blue colour shirt and khaki colour pant as uniform.

A 35-member women police team 'Sthree Shakthi' was launched in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. The 35-member team has woman ASIs, head constables, police constables and home guards.

A 35-member women police team 'Sthree Shakthi' was launched in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. The 35-member team has woman ASIs, head constables, police constables and home guards. The team has been provided 25 vehicles, including two four-wheelers. "It is a 35 members team. We have started with 25 vehicles, 5 four wheelers and rest are motorcycles and scooters. This is mainly for the protection of women. The women-related issue can be informed to the team and then they will take action accordingly. From drivers to police personnel, everyone is a woman," said Andhra Pradesh DGP AP Thakur. "In Visakhapatnam, there are a number of educational institutions and workplaces where women are working in large numbers. Our prime concern is to ensure safety to women," he said. The initiative was taken to provide security to women and girls. All the police constables were imparted training in the car driving, swimming, communication skills and self-defence for one month. They all will be deployed on important junctions of the city. They will handle women-related issues including eve-teasers and trouble-mongers. The Shakthi police will don a blue colour shirt and khaki colour pant as uniform.

Andhra Pradesh: Sthree Shakthi cops launched to ensure women safety

Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya has been allocated July 2 as the date for a brief hearing to convince a High Court judge that he should be given permission to proceed to a full-blown appeal process against his extradition to India to face alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to Rs 9,000 crores.

The 63-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss had filed the "renewal application" earlier this month after he failed in his first written attempt seeking leave to appeal in the High Court. The renewal involves a short oral hearing before a High Court judge, now scheduled for July 2, where his lawyers will further plead his case against being extradited to India.

"A date for the oral consideration has been set for July 2," a UK court official said on Friday.

UK home secretary Sajid Javid had signed off on a Westminster Magistrates' Court order for Mallya to be extradited to face the Indian courts back in February.&nbsp;

Mallya then filed an application for permission to appeal against that decision in the High Court, which was refused by Justice William Davis, giving him a week to apply for ?oral consideration? via a renewal application.&nbsp;

"Once a renewal application is made, it will be listed before a High Court judge and dealt with at a hearing," said a UK Judiciary spokesperson.

On July 2, Mallya's legal team and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)&nbsp;arguing on behalf of the Indian government&nbsp;will go head to head to reiterate factors for and against the businessman's extradition to Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai. A High Court judge must now decide following the "oral consideration"&nbsp;if Mallya's appeal can proceed to a full hearing.&nbsp;

It will mark one of the final stages of the appeals process in the UK as the chances of permission to appeal to the Supreme Court are unlikely if permission to appeal is denied at the High Court stage.&nbsp;

Mallya would have the option to approach the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) based in Strasbourg, France, to argue against his extradition to India on human rights grounds by trying to prove a real threat of harm or torture.

Meanwhile, the businessman remains on bail on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard in April 2017. At the end of a year-long extradition trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London last December, Judge Emma

Arbuthnot had ruled that the "flashy"&nbsp;billionaire had a "case to answer"&nbsp;in the Indian courts.&nbsp;

The court had also dismissed any bars to extradition on the grounds of the prison conditions under which the businessman would be held, as the judge accepted the Indian government's assurances that he would receive all necessary medical care at Barrack 12 in Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail.

Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya has been allocated July 2 as the date for a brief hearing to convince a High Court judge that he should be given permission to proceed to a full-blown appeal process against his extradition to India to face alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to Rs 9,000 crores.

Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya has been allocated July 2 as the date for a brief hearing to convince a High Court judge that he should be given permission to proceed to a full-blown appeal process against his extradition to India to face alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to Rs 9,000 crores. The 63-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss had filed the "renewal application" earlier this month after he failed in his first written attempt seeking leave to appeal in the High Court. The renewal involves a short oral hearing before a High Court judge, now scheduled for July 2, where his lawyers will further plead his case against being extradited to India. "A date for the oral consideration has been set for July 2," a UK court official said on Friday. UK home secretary Sajid Javid had signed off on a Westminster Magistrates' Court order for Mallya to be extradited to face the Indian courts back in February. Mallya then filed an application for permission to appeal against that decision in the High Court, which was refused by Justice William Davis, giving him a week to apply for ?oral consideration? via a renewal application. "Once a renewal application is made, it will be listed before a High Court judge and dealt with at a hearing," said a UK Judiciary spokesperson. On July 2, Mallya's legal team and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) arguing on behalf of the Indian government will go head to head to reiterate factors for and against the businessman's extradition to Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai. A High Court judge must now decide following the "oral consideration" if Mallya's appeal can proceed to a full hearing. It will mark one of the final stages of the appeals process in the UK as the chances of permission to appeal to the Supreme Court are unlikely if permission to appeal is denied at the High Court stage. Mallya would have the option to approach the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) based in Strasbourg, France, to argue against his extradition to India on human rights grounds by trying to prove a real threat of harm or torture. Meanwhile, the businessman remains on bail on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard in April 2017. At the end of a year-long extradition trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London last December, Judge Emma Arbuthnot had ruled that the "flashy" billionaire had a "case to answer" in the Indian courts. The court had also dismissed any bars to extradition on the grounds of the prison conditions under which the businessman would be held, as the judge accepted the Indian government's assurances that he would receive all necessary medical care at Barrack 12 in Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail.

Mallya's extradition: UK High Court to hear Vijay Mallya's plea on July 2

Fugitive diamantaire <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nirav-modis-extradition-to-begin-after-may-30-207966">Nirav Modi, undergoing extradition proceedings</a> in the UK in the $1-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case, is set to appear before a London court for a remand hearing on Friday.

The 48-year-old, who has been behind bars at Wandsworth prison in south-west London since his arrest last month, is set to be produced before a judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link from the jail.

The hearing follows his bail being rejected by Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot on March 29 on the grounds that there was a "substantial risk he would fail to surrender".

"This is a case of substantial fraud, with loss to a bank in India of between $ 1-2 billion. I am not persuaded that the conditional bail sought will meet the concerns of the government of India in this case," Judge Arbuthnot had noted in her ruling.

The hearing this week takes place as per the 28-day time frame for judicial remand in such cases.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian authorities, had confirmed earlier this month that Nirav Modi intends to appeal against the rejection of bail in the UK High Court. However, such an application has not been logged so far.

The hearing on Friday is expected to be procedural unless some new factors are placed before the court to consider. Nirav Modi can make a third bail application at Westminster Magistrates' Court but only if the grounds for the bail plea are substantially different.

Previously, his legal team, including solicitor Anand Doobay and barrister Clare Montgomery, had offered 1 million pounds as security alongside an offer to meet stringent electronic tag restrictions on their client's movements, "akin to house arrest".

The diamantaire "lack of community ties" in the UK and an attempt to acquire the citizenship of Vanuatu - a remote island country located in the South Pacific Ocean - in late 2017 went against him as the judge said it seemed like he was trying to "move away from India at an important time".

CPS barrister Toby Cadman had argued that there was a "substantial risk" that the prime accused in the PNB fraud case would flee and attempt to interfere with witnesses and evidence.

"Due to the nature of his business he has at his disposal diamonds gold and pearls," Toby Cadman told the court.

During the course of the hearing last month, it emerged that Nirav Modi had made death threats to witnesses and also attempted to destroy evidence such as mobile phones and a server holding "material critical to the fraud".

His defence team, the same as that deployed by former Kingfisher Airlines boss Vijay Mallya in his extradition case, denied the allegations and said their client saw the UK as a "haven where his case will be fairly considered".

Judge Arbuthnot noted a sense of "deja vu" with the case, in reference to her having ordered the extradition of Vijay Mallya in December last year, which is currently going through a High Court appeals process.

Nirav Modi is believed to have been living in the UK on an Investor Visa, applied for in 2015 - at a time when the so-called "golden visa" route was relatively easier for super-rich individuals to acquire residency rights in the UK based on a minimum of 2-million pound investment.

He was arrested by uniformed Scotland Yard officers from a Metro Bank branch in central London as he attempted to open a new bank account on March 19. During his first court appearance a day later, it emerged that the diamantaire accused of defrauding PNB via fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) had been in possession of multiple passports, since revoked by the Indian authorities.

Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, undergoing extradition proceedings in the UK in the $1-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case, is set to appear before a London court for a remand hearing on Friday.

Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, undergoing extradition proceedings in the UK in the $1-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case, is set to appear before a London court for a remand hearing on Friday. The 48-year-old, who has been behind bars at Wandsworth prison in south-west London since his arrest last month, is set to be produced before a judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link from the jail. The hearing follows his bail being rejected by Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot on March 29 on the grounds that there was a "substantial risk he would fail to surrender". "This is a case of substantial fraud, with loss to a bank in India of between $ 1-2 billion. I am not persuaded that the conditional bail sought will meet the concerns of the government of India in this case," Judge Arbuthnot had noted in her ruling. The hearing this week takes place as per the 28-day time frame for judicial remand in such cases. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian authorities, had confirmed earlier this month that Nirav Modi intends to appeal against the rejection of bail in the UK High Court. However, such an application has not been logged so far. The hearing on Friday is expected to be procedural unless some new factors are placed before the court to consider. Nirav Modi can make a third bail application at Westminster Magistrates' Court but only if the grounds for the bail plea are substantially different. Previously, his legal team, including solicitor Anand Doobay and barrister Clare Montgomery, had offered 1 million pounds as security alongside an offer to meet stringent electronic tag restrictions on their client's movements, "akin to house arrest". The diamantaire "lack of community ties" in the UK and an attempt to acquire the citizenship of Vanuatu - a remote island country located in the South Pacific Ocean - in late 2017 went against him as the judge said it seemed like he was trying to "move away from India at an important time". CPS barrister Toby Cadman had argued that there was a "substantial risk" that the prime accused in the PNB fraud case would flee and attempt to interfere with witnesses and evidence. "Due to the nature of his business he has at his disposal diamonds gold and pearls," Toby Cadman told the court. During the course of the hearing last month, it emerged that Nirav Modi had made death threats to witnesses and also attempted to destroy evidence such as mobile phones and a server holding "material critical to the fraud". His defence team, the same as that deployed by former Kingfisher Airlines boss Vijay Mallya in his extradition case, denied the allegations and said their client saw the UK as a "haven where his case will be fairly considered". Judge Arbuthnot noted a sense of "deja vu" with the case, in reference to her having ordered the extradition of Vijay Mallya in December last year, which is currently going through a High Court appeals process. Nirav Modi is believed to have been living in the UK on an Investor Visa, applied for in 2015 - at a time when the so-called "golden visa" route was relatively easier for super-rich individuals to acquire residency rights in the UK based on a minimum of 2-million pound investment. He was arrested by uniformed Scotland Yard officers from a Metro Bank branch in central London as he attempted to open a new bank account on March 19. During his first court appearance a day later, it emerged that the diamantaire accused of defrauding PNB via fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) had been in possession of multiple passports, since revoked by the Indian authorities.

Nirav Modi to appear for court hearing via video link from jail

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wanted-a-pm-who-can-attack-pakistan-uddhav-thackeray-on-alliance-with-bjp-211968">Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray</a> said Thursday that Opposition parties, which do not even have a prime ministerial candidate, are making tall promises.

He was addressing a rally at Chakan near Pune for Shiv Sena MP and candidate from Shirur Lok Sabha seat Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil.

"We have a strong PM candidate in Narendra Modi. But if you ask them (Opposition) who is your PM candidate, they say first give us votes and we will see later.

"Today they do not have PM candidate and these people talk about improving the condition of the country...First go and search for a leader," the Sena chief said.

"Everyone in Opposition's alliance wants to sit in the PM's chair, but this is not a game of musical chairs," he quipped.

Adhalrao Patil has a connection with the people of his constituency and he will win a fourth term with a bigger margin, Thackeray said.

In a dig at actor Dr Amol Kolhe, who quit the Sena ahead of the polls and has been fielded by the NCP in Shirur, Thackeray asked people whether they wanted an MP who works for the constituency or someone who works in TV serials.

On the bickering between the BJP and Shiv Sena, who are nevertheless contesting the elections together, Thackeray said he formed the alliance with the BJP for the sake of well-being of farmers and other sections of society.

"The tiffs between the Sena and BJP were sour and sweet," he said.

The Sena chief also said that "one should not make capital out of the valour of our Armed Forces", nor should anyone question the surgical strike and the air strike conducted by the forces after the Uri and Pulwama terror attacks.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray said Thursday that Opposition parties, which do not even have a prime ministerial candidate, are making tall promises. He was addressing a rally at Chakan near Pune for Shiv Sena MP and candidate from Shirur Lok Sabha seat Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil.

Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray said Thursday that Opposition parties, which do not even have a prime ministerial candidate, are making tall promises. He was addressing a rally at Chakan near Pune for Shiv Sena MP and candidate from Shirur Lok Sabha seat Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil. "We have a strong PM candidate in Narendra Modi. But if you ask them (Opposition) who is your PM candidate, they say first give us votes and we will see later. "Today they do not have PM candidate and these people talk about improving the condition of the country...First go and search for a leader," the Sena chief said. "Everyone in Opposition's alliance wants to sit in the PM's chair, but this is not a game of musical chairs," he quipped. Adhalrao Patil has a connection with the people of his constituency and he will win a fourth term with a bigger margin, Thackeray said. In a dig at actor Dr Amol Kolhe, who quit the Sena ahead of the polls and has been fielded by the NCP in Shirur, Thackeray asked people whether they wanted an MP who works for the constituency or someone who works in TV serials. On the bickering between the BJP and Shiv Sena, who are nevertheless contesting the elections together, Thackeray said he formed the alliance with the BJP for the sake of well-being of farmers and other sections of society. "The tiffs between the Sena and BJP were sour and sweet," he said. The Sena chief also said that "one should not make capital out of the valour of our Armed Forces", nor should anyone question the surgical strike and the air strike conducted by the forces after the Uri and Pulwama terror attacks.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Opposition parties should find a leader first, says Uddhav Thackeray

With an objective to cover 100 per cent of election booths in West Bengal for the fourth phase of polling, there will be deployment of 580 companies of central forces, a senior official said on Thursday.

"We expect this will enable us to cover as many as 100 per cent of the polling stations by central forces," the Election Commission official told PTI.

The fourth phase on April 29 will see deployment of over 200 companies more as compared to the number in the third phase.

During the first phase, the EC had deputed central forces at 50 per cent of the booths, which was increased to 92 per cent in the third phase of polling held on April 23.

On Monday, eight Lok Sabha constituencies - Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur and Birbhum will go to polls.

Special emphasis will be given to Asansol, which shares its border with Bihar, an EC source said.

Meanwhile, the commission served a showcause notice on Wednesday to Trinamool Congress MLA from Chakdah Ratna Ghosh Kar, for making derogatory remarks in reply to a report sought by the EC, he said.

The EC had asked for a report from the District Magistrate of Nadia on April 17, in connection with Ghosh Kar's alleged objectionable remarks about the central forces.

"Her replies to the commission were highly derogatory in nature, and now it (EC) has showcaused her," the source said.&nbsp;

With an objective to cover 100 per cent of election booths in West Bengal for the fourth phase of polling, there will be deployment of 580 companies of central forces, a senior official said on Thursday.

With an objective to cover 100 per cent of election booths in West Bengal for the fourth phase of polling, there will be deployment of 580 companies of central forces, a senior official said on Thursday. "We expect this will enable us to cover as many as 100 per cent of the polling stations by central forces," the Election Commission official told PTI. The fourth phase on April 29 will see deployment of over 200 companies more as compared to the number in the third phase. During the first phase, the EC had deputed central forces at 50 per cent of the booths, which was increased to 92 per cent in the third phase of polling held on April 23. On Monday, eight Lok Sabha constituencies - Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur and Birbhum will go to polls. Special emphasis will be given to Asansol, which shares its border with Bihar, an EC source said. Meanwhile, the commission served a showcause notice on Wednesday to Trinamool Congress MLA from Chakdah Ratna Ghosh Kar, for making derogatory remarks in reply to a report sought by the EC, he said. The EC had asked for a report from the District Magistrate of Nadia on April 17, in connection with Ghosh Kar's alleged objectionable remarks about the central forces. "Her replies to the commission were highly derogatory in nature, and now it (EC) has showcaused her," the source said.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Election Commission to deploy 580 companies of central forces in West Bengal for fourth phase

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-aircraft-carrier-ins-vikramaditya-catches-fire-1-dead-213679">India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya catches fire; 1 officer dead</a>

India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya caught fire in Karwar, Karnataka on Friday afternoon. The Navy said officer Lt Cdr DS Chauhan was killed in the fire.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-court-further-remands-nirav-modi-till-may-24-213671">UK court extends Nirav Modi's remand till May 24</a>

A UK court on Friday extended the remand till May 24 of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi who is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of $2 billion.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-optimistic-masood-azhar-will-be-listed-as-an-international-terrorist-213730">UK optimistic Masood Azhar will be listed as an international terrorist</a>

The UK has expressed optimism that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar will soon be listed as an international terrorist at the United Nations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/pak-is-one-of-the-bris-earliest-and-most-enthusiastic-proponents-imran-khan-213669">Pakistan BRI's earliest and most enthusiastic proponents: PM Imran Khan</a>

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday mooted launching of joint projects among the China-backed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) member countries to promote tourism, combat climate change, corruption and poverty.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/issf-world-cup-divyansh-panwar-secures-2020-olympic-quota-with-10m-air-rifle-silver-213708">ISSF World Cup: Divyansh Panwar secures 2020 Olympic quota with 10m Air Rifle Silver</a>

The 17-year-old Divyansh Singh Panwar on Friday won a silver in the ISSF World Cup in Beijing and secured India's fourth Olympic quota place in shooting.

Divyansh, who was competing in his second senior competition, shot a total of 249.0 in the 10m air rifle event.

India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya catches fire; 1 officer dead India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya caught fire in Karwar, Karnataka on Friday afternoon.

India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya catches fire; 1 officer dead India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya caught fire in Karwar, Karnataka on Friday afternoon. The Navy said officer Lt Cdr DS Chauhan was killed in the fire. UK court extends Nirav Modi's remand till May 24 A UK court on Friday extended the remand till May 24 of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi who is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of $2 billion. UK optimistic Masood Azhar will be listed as an international terrorist The UK has expressed optimism that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar will soon be listed as an international terrorist at the United Nations. Pakistan BRI's earliest and most enthusiastic proponents: PM Imran Khan Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday mooted launching of joint projects among the China-backed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) member countries to promote tourism, combat climate change, corruption and poverty. ISSF World Cup: Divyansh Panwar secures 2020 Olympic quota with 10m Air Rifle Silver The 17-year-old Divyansh Singh Panwar on Friday won a silver in the ISSF World Cup in Beijing and secured India's fourth Olympic quota place in shooting. Divyansh, who was competing in his second senior competition, shot a total of 249.0 in the 10m air rifle event.

The UK has expressed optimism that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar will soon be listed as an international terrorist at the United Nations.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, British High Commissioner Sir Dominic Asquith said, "We are strong supporters of listing of Masood Azhar for a decade. So that we will get to that conclusion shortly. I do remain optimistic that it will be resolved and very much it will be."

Without taking China's name he said, "We are waiting to see whether the country that is so far been resisting agreeing to its listing will lift that objection," hoping, "we will get to that conclusion of listing Azhar".

China had put a hold on the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist on March 13 at the 1267 sanctions committee of the UNSC. India has been pushing to declare Masood Azhar a global terrorist after his JeM took responsibility for the February 14 Pulwama attack that killed more than 40 personnel of India's paramilitary force, the CRPF.

The UK, along with the US and France, has put a proposal for listing of Azhar as an international terrorist in the aftermath of Pulwama. A resolution was also proposed by the US at UNSC but China put a hold in March.

China, in the past few weeks, has been reacting potitively on listing of Azhar. "Things are moving towards a settlement," China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently said in a statement. The Indian foreign secretary was in China on Monday and gave evidence regarding JeM's involvement in terror attacks in India during his meetings with Chinese officials including foreign minister Wang Yi.

A statement from India's external affairs ministry said, "We have shared with China all evidences of terrorist activities of Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader Masood Azhar. It is now for the 1267 Sanctions Committee and other authorised bodies of the UN to take a decision on the listing of Masood Azhar."

'PAK MUST ACT ON TERROR'

Asked if the UK played a role in defusing tension between India Pakistan after Pulwama, the high commissioner said, "We were very actively involved. We were certainly talking to a variety of key actors in Pakistan to make it clear on what we expect in terms of Pakistani action against terrorist groups who are operating around the Line of Control."

Calling for a "verifiable" and "irreversible action" against terror groups, the British HC said, "Don't mistake natural British modesty with what we say in public with a lack of activity."

The UK has expressed optimism that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar will soon be listed as an international terrorist at the United Nations. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, British High Commissioner Sir Dominic Asquith said, "We are strong supporters of listing of Masood Azhar for a decade.

The UK has expressed optimism that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar will soon be listed as an international terrorist at the United Nations. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, British High Commissioner Sir Dominic Asquith said, "We are strong supporters of listing of Masood Azhar for a decade. So that we will get to that conclusion shortly. I do remain optimistic that it will be resolved and very much it will be." Without taking China's name he said, "We are waiting to see whether the country that is so far been resisting agreeing to its listing will lift that objection," hoping, "we will get to that conclusion of listing Azhar". China had put a hold on the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist on March 13 at the 1267 sanctions committee of the UNSC. India has been pushing to declare Masood Azhar a global terrorist after his JeM took responsibility for the February 14 Pulwama attack that killed more than 40 personnel of India's paramilitary force, the CRPF. The UK, along with the US and France, has put a proposal for listing of Azhar as an international terrorist in the aftermath of Pulwama. A resolution was also proposed by the US at UNSC but China put a hold in March. China, in the past few weeks, has been reacting potitively on listing of Azhar. "Things are moving towards a settlement," China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently said in a statement. The Indian foreign secretary was in China on Monday and gave evidence regarding JeM's involvement in terror attacks in India during his meetings with Chinese officials including foreign minister Wang Yi. A statement from India's external affairs ministry said, "We have shared with China all evidences of terrorist activities of Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader Masood Azhar. It is now for the 1267 Sanctions Committee and other authorised bodies of the UN to take a decision on the listing of Masood Azhar." 'PAK MUST ACT ON TERROR' Asked if the UK played a role in defusing tension between India Pakistan after Pulwama, the high commissioner said, "We were very actively involved. We were certainly talking to a variety of key actors in Pakistan to make it clear on what we expect in terms of Pakistani action against terrorist groups who are operating around the Line of Control." Calling for a "verifiable" and "irreversible action" against terror groups, the British HC said, "Don't mistake natural British modesty with what we say in public with a lack of activity."

UK optimistic Masood Azhar will be listed as an international terrorist

Maharashtra <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/strap-sceptical-opposition-leaders-on-rockets-to-balakot-fadnavis-212819">Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis</a> Thursday said the voters in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections have to choose between the BJP's development agenda and "anarchy" represented by the Congress-led opposition.

Fadnavis said the Congress-led UPA government had no guts to act when Mumbai was attacked by terrorists in 2008.

Addressing an election rally in support of BJP-Sena alliance's Lok Sabha candidate from Bhiwandi Kapil Patil, Fadnavis&nbsp;said the voters should give a second term to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-india-gives-befitting-reply-to-terror-pm-modi-213515">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>.

Fadnavis came down heavily on the Congress for its string of "failures" during its decades-long rule in the country.

During his almost half an hour speech, the BJP leader listed the achievements of the Modi government.

"What the Congress gave to the common man during its 60-year rule was nothing but 'anachar' (misrule), 'brashtachar' (corruption), Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis said speeches of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders were "entertaining" as they are bereft of substance.

The Congress government did not take any action after the 2008 terror strikes in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, adding the then Prime Minister had no guts to punish Pakistan, from where the attackers had come.

Attacking the Congress further, Fadnavis said only Pakistan and the Rahul Gandhi-led party wanted proof of the causalities in the Balakot air strikes.

Seeking support of electors for the BJP, Fadnavis said these polls offer to the voters a choice between "those who are for development and those who are for anarchy".

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Thursday said the voters in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections have to choose between the BJP's development agenda and "anarchy" represented by the Congress-led opposition.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Thursday said the voters in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections have to choose between the BJP's development agenda and "anarchy" represented by the Congress-led opposition. Fadnavis said the Congress-led UPA government had no guts to act when Mumbai was attacked by terrorists in 2008. Addressing an election rally in support of BJP-Sena alliance's Lok Sabha candidate from Bhiwandi Kapil Patil, Fadnavis said the voters should give a second term to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Fadnavis came down heavily on the Congress for its string of "failures" during its decades-long rule in the country. During his almost half an hour speech, the BJP leader listed the achievements of the Modi government. "What the Congress gave to the common man during its 60-year rule was nothing but 'anachar' (misrule), 'brashtachar' (corruption), Fadnavis said. Fadnavis said speeches of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders were "entertaining" as they are bereft of substance. The Congress government did not take any action after the 2008 terror strikes in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, adding the then Prime Minister had no guts to punish Pakistan, from where the attackers had come. Attacking the Congress further, Fadnavis said only Pakistan and the Rahul Gandhi-led party wanted proof of the causalities in the Balakot air strikes. Seeking support of electors for the BJP, Fadnavis said these polls offer to the voters a choice between "those who are for development and those who are for anarchy".

Polls offer choice between development, anarchy: Devendra Fadnavis

Rohit Shekhar Tiwari's wife Apoorva Shukla, arrested<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/police-arrest-rohit-shekhar-tiwaris-wife-for-his-murder-cites-marital-discord-as-motive-213313"> in connection with his murder</a>, was sent to 14-days judicial custody by a Delhi court on Friday.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Deepak Sherawat sent Shukla to jail after the police informed the court that her custodial interrogation was not required.

Shukla was arrested on April 26 on charges of Tiwari's murder, citing a "turbulent and unhappy" marriage as the motive.&nbsp;

Rohit Shekhar, the son of the late veteran politician N D Tiwari, was smothered to death on the intervening night of April 15 and 16, an autopsy report said.

Apoorva, a lawyer practising in the Supreme Court, was being questioned in connection with the killing since last Sunday. 
&nbsp;

Rohit Shekhar Tiwari's wife Apoorva Shukla, arrested in connection with his murder, was sent to 14-days judicial custody by a Delhi court on Friday. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Deepak Sherawat sent Shukla to jail after the police informed the court that her custodial interrogation was not required.

Rohit Shekhar Tiwari's wife Apoorva Shukla, arrested in connection with his murder, was sent to 14-days judicial custody by a Delhi court on Friday. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Deepak Sherawat sent Shukla to jail after the police informed the court that her custodial interrogation was not required. Shukla was arrested on April 26 on charges of Tiwari's murder, citing a "turbulent and unhappy" marriage as the motive. Rohit Shekhar, the son of the late veteran politician N D Tiwari, was smothered to death on the intervening night of April 15 and 16, an autopsy report said. Apoorva, a lawyer practising in the Supreme Court, was being questioned in connection with the killing since last Sunday.

Rohit Tiwari murder case: Delhi court sends wife Apoorva to 14-day judicial custody

India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya caught fire in Karwar, Karnataka on Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

The Navy said officer Lt Cdr DS Chauhan was killed in the fire.

The Navy has ordered a Board of Inquiry to probe the incident. The fire was controlled by its crew preventing any serious damage to the warship’s combat capability.

Lt Cdr DS Chauhan was leading the firefighting efforts in the affected compartment.

The defence ministry informed that whilst the fire was brought under control, the officer suffered loss of consciousness owing to the smoke and fumes during the firefighting efforts. He was immediately evacuated to the Naval hospital at Karwar, INHS Patanjali for medical attention.

However, the officer could not be revived.

This is the third incident reported on INS Vikramaditya since it was inducted in the Indian Navy in 2014. &nbsp;

In 2016, during a scheduled refit, due to the leak of toxic gas from the sweage treatment plant, two people had died. Another incident took place in 2017 when a MiG 29 aircraft made an emergency landing due to a hydraulic failure.&nbsp;

The ship, a 1987 Soviet aircraft carrier whose original name was Baku, was later named Admiral Gorshkov and sold to India in 2004.

India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya caught fire in Karwar, Karnataka on Friday afternoon. The Navy said officer Lt Cdr DS Chauhan was killed in the fire. The Navy has ordered a Board of Inquiry to probe the incident.

India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya caught fire in Karwar, Karnataka on Friday afternoon. The Navy said officer Lt Cdr DS Chauhan was killed in the fire. The Navy has ordered a Board of Inquiry to probe the incident. The fire was controlled by its crew preventing any serious damage to the warship’s combat capability. Lt Cdr DS Chauhan was leading the firefighting efforts in the affected compartment. The defence ministry informed that whilst the fire was brought under control, the officer suffered loss of consciousness owing to the smoke and fumes during the firefighting efforts. He was immediately evacuated to the Naval hospital at Karwar, INHS Patanjali for medical attention. However, the officer could not be revived. This is the third incident reported on INS Vikramaditya since it was inducted in the Indian Navy in 2014. In 2016, during a scheduled refit, due to the leak of toxic gas from the sweage treatment plant, two people had died. Another incident took place in 2017 when a MiG 29 aircraft made an emergency landing due to a hydraulic failure. The ship, a 1987 Soviet aircraft carrier whose original name was Baku, was later named Admiral Gorshkov and sold to India in 2004.

India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya catches fire; 1 officer dead

A UK court on Friday extended the&nbsp;remand&nbsp;till May 24 of fugitive diamond merchant <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nirav-modis-extradition-to-begin-after-may-30-207966">Nirav Modi</a>&nbsp;who is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of $2 billion.

The 48-year-old, who has been behind bars at Wandsworth prison in south-west London since his arrest last month, was&nbsp;produced before the judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link from&nbsp;jail.

The brief hearing ended with the judge extending his jail term.&nbsp;

On March 29, Modi's bail was rejected by Chief Magistrate Arbuthnot&nbsp;on the grounds that there was a "substantial risk he would fail to surrender".

Nirav's problems have been exacerbated by the fact that the US has charged him with violating Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (RICO) Act in an American bankruptcy court.

He is believed to have been living in the UK on an Investor Visa, applied for in 2015 at a time when the so-called '"golden visa"&nbsp;route was relatively easier for super-rich individuals to acquire residency rights in the UK based on a minimum of 2-million pound investment.

He was arrested by uniformed Scotland Yard officers on March 19. Indian authorities have been&nbsp;trying to extradite him since then.

During his first court appearance a day later, it emerged that the diamantaire accused of defrauding PNB via fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) had been in possession of multiple passports which have since been revoked by the Indian authorities.

(With inputs from news agencies)

A UK court on Friday extended the remand till May 24 of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi who is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of $2 billion. The 48-year-old, who has been behind bars at Wandsworth prison in south-west London since his arrest last month, was produced before the judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link from jail.

A UK court on Friday extended the remand till May 24 of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi who is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of $2 billion. The 48-year-old, who has been behind bars at Wandsworth prison in south-west London since his arrest last month, was produced before the judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link from jail. The brief hearing ended with the judge extending his jail term. On March 29, Modi's bail was rejected by Chief Magistrate Arbuthnot on the grounds that there was a "substantial risk he would fail to surrender". Nirav's problems have been exacerbated by the fact that the US has charged him with violating Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (RICO) Act in an American bankruptcy court. He is believed to have been living in the UK on an Investor Visa, applied for in 2015 at a time when the so-called '"golden visa" route was relatively easier for super-rich individuals to acquire residency rights in the UK based on a minimum of 2-million pound investment. He was arrested by uniformed Scotland Yard officers on March 19. Indian authorities have been trying to extradite him since then. During his first court appearance a day later, it emerged that the diamantaire accused of defrauding PNB via fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) had been in possession of multiple passports which have since been revoked by the Indian authorities. (With inputs from news agencies)

UK court extends Nirav Modi's remand till May 24

Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi's cars auctioned for Rs 3.29 crore

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/elections/politicians/akhilesh-yadav">Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav </a>lashed out at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/akhilesh-calls-congress-sabse-dhokebaaz-party-211959">Congress</a>, saying that the Rahul Gandhi-led party betrayed the SP.

"If there is somebody who has betrayed the Samajwadi Party then it is the Congress," said Yadav at an election rally in Kanpur on Wednesday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-akhilesh-yadav-and-mayawati-are-pm-material-says-shatrughan-sinha-213364">Akhilesh</a>’s SP had formed an alliance with Congress for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative election in 2017. However, the relations between the two parties soured after they faced a drubbing in the polls.

"Ye sahi hai ki hamara gathbandhan tha lekin hame nahi pata tha ki Congress mein zyada ghamand hai, gathbandhan kuch nahi hota ghamand zyada badi cheez hai. (It’s true that we had formed an alliance, but we didn’t know that Congress party is more arrogant. For them arrogance is more important but alliance is nothing),” Akhilesh added.

Ahead of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, there was speculation that Congress would stitch an alliance with SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh but Akhilesh joined hands with the BSP, keeping the Congress out of their seat-sharing agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the Congress, saying that the Rahul Gandhi-led party betrayed the SP. "If there is somebody who has betrayed the Samajwadi Party then it is the Congress," said Yadav at an election rally in Kanpur on Wednesday.

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the Congress, saying that the Rahul Gandhi-led party betrayed the SP. "If there is somebody who has betrayed the Samajwadi Party then it is the Congress," said Yadav at an election rally in Kanpur on Wednesday. Akhilesh’s SP had formed an alliance with Congress for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative election in 2017. However, the relations between the two parties soured after they faced a drubbing in the polls. "Ye sahi hai ki hamara gathbandhan tha lekin hame nahi pata tha ki Congress mein zyada ghamand hai, gathbandhan kuch nahi hota ghamand zyada badi cheez hai. (It’s true that we had formed an alliance, but we didn’t know that Congress party is more arrogant. For them arrogance is more important but alliance is nothing),” Akhilesh added. Ahead of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, there was speculation that Congress would stitch an alliance with SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh but Akhilesh joined hands with the BSP, keeping the Congress out of their seat-sharing agreement.

If there is somebody who has betrayed the Samajwadi Party then it is Congress: Akhilesh Yadav

Aviation regulator DGCA has initiated a probe into the incident of the plane carrying Congress President Rahul Gandhi suffering engine trouble, a senior official said.

The plane on way to Patna was forced to return to Delhi on Friday after experiencing "engine trouble".

The senior Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official said the Hawker 850 XP aircraft VT-KNB returned back to Delhi after take-off due to a technical snag.

"DGCA has initiated investigation as per the laid down procedure," he told PTI.

The aircraft landed safely in Delhi at 1020 hours. There were ten people on board including two crew members, the official said.

On Twitter, Gandhi posted a video of the flight which shows him, the pilot and the co-pilot in the plane.

"Engine trouble on our flight to Patna today! We've been forced to return to Delhi," he tweeted.&nbsp;

Aviation regulator DGCA has initiated a probe into the incident of the plane carrying Congress President Rahul Gandhi suffering engine trouble, a senior official said.

Aviation regulator DGCA has initiated a probe into the incident of the plane carrying Congress President Rahul Gandhi suffering engine trouble, a senior official said. The plane on way to Patna was forced to return to Delhi on Friday after experiencing "engine trouble". The senior Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official said the Hawker 850 XP aircraft VT-KNB returned back to Delhi after take-off due to a technical snag. "DGCA has initiated investigation as per the laid down procedure," he told PTI. The aircraft landed safely in Delhi at 1020 hours. There were ten people on board including two crew members, the official said. On Twitter, Gandhi posted a video of the flight which shows him, the pilot and the co-pilot in the plane. "Engine trouble on our flight to Patna today! We've been forced to return to Delhi," he tweeted.

Aviation regulator DGCA starts probe into Rahul Gandhi plane incident

The Congress on Thursday fielded Ajay Rai to contest polls against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ending speculation on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra fighting polls from the UP town.

Speculation on Priyanka Gandhi making her political debut from Varanasi was fuelled after Congress president Rahul Gandhi, to a question on whether he planned to field his sister against PM Modi, said last week, "I will leave you in suspense. Suspense is not always a bad thing."

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi had won from Varanasi with 5,81,022 votes.

Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal, Ajay Rai, BSP's Vijay Prakash Jaiswal and Samajwadi Party’s Kailash Chaurasia had polled 2,09,238, 75,614, 60,579 and 45,291 votes respectively.

The combined votes polled by these opposition candidates was 3,90,722, still 1,90,300 short of what Modi got.&nbsp;

The Congress also fielded Madhusudan Tiwari from Gorakhpur against BJP's actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan.

(With inputs from PTI)

The Congress on Thursday fielded Ajay Rai to contest polls against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ending speculation on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra fighting polls from the UP town.

The Congress on Thursday fielded Ajay Rai to contest polls against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ending speculation on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra fighting polls from the UP town. Speculation on Priyanka Gandhi making her political debut from Varanasi was fuelled after Congress president Rahul Gandhi, to a question on whether he planned to field his sister against PM Modi, said last week, "I will leave you in suspense. Suspense is not always a bad thing." In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi had won from Varanasi with 5,81,022 votes. Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal, Ajay Rai, BSP's Vijay Prakash Jaiswal and Samajwadi Party’s Kailash Chaurasia had polled 2,09,238, 75,614, 60,579 and 45,291 votes respectively. The combined votes polled by these opposition candidates was 3,90,722, still 1,90,300 short of what Modi got. The Congress also fielded Madhusudan Tiwari from Gorakhpur against BJP's actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan. (With inputs from PTI)

Congress fields Ajay Rai, not Priyanka Gandhi from Varanasi against PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at opposition leaders saying people who are contesting only 40, 20 or even eight seats are standing in the queue waiting for their turn to become the prime minister.&nbsp;

Addressing a public rally at Darbhanga in Bihar, Modi asked the people to vote for him as he needs their vote to fight terror.

''Modi cannot fight terror on his own. The chowkidar needs your votes to win this fight,'' Modi said.&nbsp;

The opposition is jittery after three phases of General elections and hence they have given up demanding proof of air strikes and started finding faults with EVMs, Modi said taking a jibe at several party leaders including Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu who on Tuesday questioned the credibility of the EVMs and claimed that there are rumours that people from Russia are hacking EVMs for crores.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Modi also attacked the opposition for not giving national security its due importance.

''For the 'Mahamilavat' gang, national security may not be an issue. But this is new India. Those involved in or abetting terror would be chased to their homes and finished off, says PM Modi,'' he said.

Terrorism must be rooted out for the benefit of the poor so that the money now spent on security could be spent on their well-being, he said.

Some people have a problem with 'Bharat mata ki Jai' &amp; 'Vande mataram', should such people lose their deposits or not? Modi asked. These are same people who complain when I talk about Bharat, the PM said and added they also say 'why is Modi talking about terrorism, it is not an issue'

The prime minister also congratulated Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and BJP leader Sushil Modi for having brought the days of lantern to an end in Bihar and bringing electricity. &nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at opposition leaders saying people who are contesting only 40, 20 or even eight seats are standing in the queue waiting for their turn to become the prime minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at opposition leaders saying people who are contesting only 40, 20 or even eight seats are standing in the queue waiting for their turn to become the prime minister. Addressing a public rally at Darbhanga in Bihar, Modi asked the people to vote for him as he needs their vote to fight terror. ''Modi cannot fight terror on his own. The chowkidar needs your votes to win this fight,'' Modi said. The opposition is jittery after three phases of General elections and hence they have given up demanding proof of air strikes and started finding faults with EVMs, Modi said taking a jibe at several party leaders including Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu who on Tuesday questioned the credibility of the EVMs and claimed that there are rumours that people from Russia are hacking EVMs for crores. Modi also attacked the opposition for not giving national security its due importance. ''For the 'Mahamilavat' gang, national security may not be an issue. But this is new India. Those involved in or abetting terror would be chased to their homes and finished off, says PM Modi,'' he said. Terrorism must be rooted out for the benefit of the poor so that the money now spent on security could be spent on their well-being, he said. Some people have a problem with 'Bharat mata ki Jai' & 'Vande mataram', should such people lose their deposits or not? Modi asked. These are same people who complain when I talk about Bharat, the PM said and added they also say 'why is Modi talking about terrorism, it is not an issue' The prime minister also congratulated Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and BJP leader Sushil Modi for having brought the days of lantern to an end in Bihar and bringing electricity.

People contesting in 40, 20 or even eight seats standing in queue to be PM: Modi  

Under attack within the Congress for describing BSP supremo Mayawati and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav "Prime Minister material", actor-turned-politician <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-my-duty-as-head-of-family-and-a-husband-shatrughan-sinha-on-campaigning-for-wife-poonam-sinha-in-lucknow-211614&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwii5_iE0OrhAhX073MBHZ_uB-4QFjADegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1srWyAuvvj1MyOVG1LNvGc">Shatrughan Sinha</a> Wednesday said anyone having successfully ruled a state is competent for the top job in the country.

The Patna Sahib MP, who recently severed his ties with the BJP and joined the Congress which has fielded him from the same seat, also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbing his interview with actor Akshay Kumar as one conducted after "rehearsals" and with the help of "scriptwriters".

"I hold that a prime minister does not need to have exceptional qualities. It is basically a number game. If you and I have the support of the requisite number of MPs, we too can become the prime minister," he told a news channel in Patna.

"Moreover, I think that anybody who has had a successful tenure as a chief minister does have the necessary experience for the top job," Mr Sinha said.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is also a prime minister material though the JD(U) president is now with the BJP, he said adding that Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav also ruled Uttar Pradesh and therefore they too fit the bill.

"After all, what are the credentials of Narendra Modi except that he had served as the chief minister of Gujarat. It was ordinary BJP workers like me who created the buzz around him which resulted in the Modi-Modi-Modi chant heard across the country. I have seen it all. I know the tricks of the game," he said.

Mr Sinha had ruffled many feathers within the Congress when he recently campaigned for his wife Poonam who is contesting from Lucknow on a Samajwadi Party ticket through the Congress has also fielded its candidate from there.

His praise for Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav has drawn censure from a section of Congress leaders who found it objectionable in the wake of the SP-BSP alliance giving a cold shoulder to the party in Uttar Pradesh.

About Modi's interview by Akshay Kumar telecast on Wednesday, Mr Sinha said, "As far as the prime minister is concerned, I have known him closely as a friend. He gives interviews after lots of rehearsals which are conducted with the help of scriptwriters. What to speak of it?"

He said he knows Akshay and his family well.

Of late he is supporting many a cause through his choice of movies though he has so far been apolitical, the former actor said.

To a query, Mr Sinha said, "I would love to interview Modi, which is not choreographed and rehearsed. But he would not agree to it."

He said PM Modi must be the only democratically elected prime minister in the world, who has not held a single press conference during the five years he has been in power.

About his wife contesting from Lucknow on SP ticket, Sinha claimed that Congress president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have knowledge of it and supported her candidature.

"We may be contesting from different parties, but we are working towards the common goal of defeating the one-man army and two-man army," he said referring to PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

Mr Sinha claimed that Akhilesh and Mayawati wanted him to contest from Lucknow.

"But I told them that I am committed to fighting from Patna Sahib. Then they said my wife who is a social activist and an active participant in my election campaigns could be a good choice," he said.

So, Mr Sinha said, "Lucknow is witnessing a fight between Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the home minister of Ramayana. We will have a thrilling contest between two home ministers".

Ramayana is the name Mr Sinha's Mumbai residence.

Under attack within the Congress for describing BSP supremo Mayawati and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav "Prime Minister material", actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha Wednesday said anyone having successfully ruled a state is competent for the top job in the country.

Under attack within the Congress for describing BSP supremo Mayawati and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav "Prime Minister material", actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha Wednesday said anyone having successfully ruled a state is competent for the top job in the country. The Patna Sahib MP, who recently severed his ties with the BJP and joined the Congress which has fielded him from the same seat, also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbing his interview with actor Akshay Kumar as one conducted after "rehearsals" and with the help of "scriptwriters". "I hold that a prime minister does not need to have exceptional qualities. It is basically a number game. If you and I have the support of the requisite number of MPs, we too can become the prime minister," he told a news channel in Patna. "Moreover, I think that anybody who has had a successful tenure as a chief minister does have the necessary experience for the top job," Mr Sinha said. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is also a prime minister material though the JD(U) president is now with the BJP, he said adding that Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav also ruled Uttar Pradesh and therefore they too fit the bill. "After all, what are the credentials of Narendra Modi except that he had served as the chief minister of Gujarat. It was ordinary BJP workers like me who created the buzz around him which resulted in the Modi-Modi-Modi chant heard across the country. I have seen it all. I know the tricks of the game," he said. Mr Sinha had ruffled many feathers within the Congress when he recently campaigned for his wife Poonam who is contesting from Lucknow on a Samajwadi Party ticket through the Congress has also fielded its candidate from there. His praise for Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav has drawn censure from a section of Congress leaders who found it objectionable in the wake of the SP-BSP alliance giving a cold shoulder to the party in Uttar Pradesh. About Modi's interview by Akshay Kumar telecast on Wednesday, Mr Sinha said, "As far as the prime minister is concerned, I have known him closely as a friend. He gives interviews after lots of rehearsals which are conducted with the help of scriptwriters. What to speak of it?" He said he knows Akshay and his family well. Of late he is supporting many a cause through his choice of movies though he has so far been apolitical, the former actor said. To a query, Mr Sinha said, "I would love to interview Modi, which is not choreographed and rehearsed. But he would not agree to it." He said PM Modi must be the only democratically elected prime minister in the world, who has not held a single press conference during the five years he has been in power. About his wife contesting from Lucknow on SP ticket, Sinha claimed that Congress president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have knowledge of it and supported her candidature. "We may be contesting from different parties, but we are working towards the common goal of defeating the one-man army and two-man army," he said referring to PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. Mr Sinha claimed that Akhilesh and Mayawati wanted him to contest from Lucknow. "But I told them that I am committed to fighting from Patna Sahib. Then they said my wife who is a social activist and an active participant in my election campaigns could be a good choice," he said. So, Mr Sinha said, "Lucknow is witnessing a fight between Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the home minister of Ramayana. We will have a thrilling contest between two home ministers". Ramayana is the name Mr Sinha's Mumbai residence.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati are 'PM material', says Shatrughan Sinha

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Thursday accused the Indian government of engaging in a "witch-hunt" and putting pressure on the Interpol to issue a red corner notice against him.

In a statement issued here, Naik, who fled India in 2016, said he was aware of the "pressure the Indian government was applying on the Interpol" to issue a red corner notice against him.

"It's part of an elaborate witch-hunt. But having verified with a few member countries, I can confirm that there is no red corner notice against me as of date," he claimed.

"One of the Indian newspapers seems to have jumped the gun and reported internal deliberations of the Indian government which, as a matter of fact, have been going on for over two years now," he said.

Naik said the Interpol had already cancelled a red corner notice against him once.

"And it's been one-and-a-half years since the government submitted a charge sheet and started applying pressure on the Interpol. But as things stand, I have no reason to believe that Interpol will succumb to any kind of undue pressure," he said.

Naik said to be in Malaysia at present, has been under investigation since 2016, when the Centre banned his Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for five years.

He is being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on several charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The preacher, declared a proclaimed offender by a special NIA court here in June 2017, is accused of inciting youth to take up terror activities, giving hate speeches and promoting enmity between communities.

The NIA filed a charge sheet against Naik and others before a Mumbai court in October 2017.

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Thursday accused the Indian government of engaging in a "witch-hunt" and putting pressure on the Interpol to issue a red corner notice against him.

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Thursday accused the Indian government of engaging in a "witch-hunt" and putting pressure on the Interpol to issue a red corner notice against him. In a statement issued here, Naik, who fled India in 2016, said he was aware of the "pressure the Indian government was applying on the Interpol" to issue a red corner notice against him. "It's part of an elaborate witch-hunt. But having verified with a few member countries, I can confirm that there is no red corner notice against me as of date," he claimed. "One of the Indian newspapers seems to have jumped the gun and reported internal deliberations of the Indian government which, as a matter of fact, have been going on for over two years now," he said. Naik said the Interpol had already cancelled a red corner notice against him once. "And it's been one-and-a-half years since the government submitted a charge sheet and started applying pressure on the Interpol. But as things stand, I have no reason to believe that Interpol will succumb to any kind of undue pressure," he said. Naik said to be in Malaysia at present, has been under investigation since 2016, when the Centre banned his Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for five years. He is being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on several charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The preacher, declared a proclaimed offender by a special NIA court here in June 2017, is accused of inciting youth to take up terror activities, giving hate speeches and promoting enmity between communities. The NIA filed a charge sheet against Naik and others before a Mumbai court in October 2017.

Zakir Naik alleges political witch-hunt after Interpol takes up India's red corner notice against him

The Delhi CEO Office has received 365 applications till date on pre-certification of political advertisements by various political parties with the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-file-nomination-on-april-26-security-beefed-up-in-wake-of-roadshow-today-213354&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjQm4LzzOrhAhUHMY8KHVN0B80QFjAAegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2sqTG-HQ6-0UIqHplmE_Kb">BJP</a> filing a maximum of 244 applications, according to data shared by the poll body here on Wednesday.

These advertisements to be played on TV or social media, among other platforms are to be pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) of the Election Commission constituted at state and district levels.

According to the data shared by the Delhi CEO office, the BJP has sent 244 applications, Congress 98 and the AAP 20, till date for MCMC certifications.

As many as 330 certificates have been issued and 11 are pending till date, while 24 were rejected, it said.

The CEO office also said that as many as 179 FIRs and daily diary (DD) entries were filed against political parties and others here for a violation of the model code of conduct, till date.

The statistics surveillance team of Delhi's Chief Electoral Office constituted to keep an eye on the expenses of political parties, has seized Rs 2.88 crore in cash and 1378 kg of narcotics and drugs.

"A total of 179 FIRs or DD entries have been lodged till date in connection with the violation of the model code of conduct," the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said in a statement.

"Out of these, 21 are against the Aam Aadmi Party (13 FIRs and eight DD entries), 28 against the Bhartiya Janata Party (14 FIRs and 14 DD entries), nine against the Congress (three FIRs and six DD entries), one against the Bahujan Samaj Party (an FIR), Samajwadi Party (one DD entry), four against CPI (M) (two FIRs and two DD entries) and 115 (111 FIRs and four DD entries) are against others or non-political (entities)," it said.

The office of the Delhi CEO said over 3.25 lakh posters, banners and hoardings have been removed since March 10, when the poll code came into force.&nbsp;

The Delhi CEO Office has received 365 applications till date on pre-certification of political advertisements by various political parties with the BJP filing a maximum of 244 applications, according to data shared by the poll body here on Wednesday.

The Delhi CEO Office has received 365 applications till date on pre-certification of political advertisements by various political parties with the BJP filing a maximum of 244 applications, according to data shared by the poll body here on Wednesday. These advertisements to be played on TV or social media, among other platforms are to be pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) of the Election Commission constituted at state and district levels. According to the data shared by the Delhi CEO office, the BJP has sent 244 applications, Congress 98 and the AAP 20, till date for MCMC certifications. As many as 330 certificates have been issued and 11 are pending till date, while 24 were rejected, it said. The CEO office also said that as many as 179 FIRs and daily diary (DD) entries were filed against political parties and others here for a violation of the model code of conduct, till date. The statistics surveillance team of Delhi's Chief Electoral Office constituted to keep an eye on the expenses of political parties, has seized Rs 2.88 crore in cash and 1378 kg of narcotics and drugs. "A total of 179 FIRs or DD entries have been lodged till date in connection with the violation of the model code of conduct," the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said in a statement. "Out of these, 21 are against the Aam Aadmi Party (13 FIRs and eight DD entries), 28 against the Bhartiya Janata Party (14 FIRs and 14 DD entries), nine against the Congress (three FIRs and six DD entries), one against the Bahujan Samaj Party (an FIR), Samajwadi Party (one DD entry), four against CPI (M) (two FIRs and two DD entries) and 115 (111 FIRs and four DD entries) are against others or non-political (entities)," it said. The office of the Delhi CEO said over 3.25 lakh posters, banners and hoardings have been removed since March 10, when the poll code came into force.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: BJP filed nearly 67% of total applications sent to MCMC

Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-2019-by-2030-india-will-replace-one-of-the-top-3-superpowers-says-rajnath-singh-213156&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjw1sbAyerhAhWIro8KHX0jDV8QFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3bCmGfhf65yagMtWyAMViK">Rajnath Singh</a> Wednesday said the number of terrorists killed in the Balakot air strikes was "high", and accused the Congress of politicising the anti-terror operation by the IAF.

He hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for using "foul language" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Claiming the BJP would get a clear mandate in the Lok Sabha elections, Singh said he has no doubt in his mind that NDA allies will retain power with a three-fourths majority.

He said the Congress is politicising the Balakot air strikes and dismissed its demand of proof of casualties in the operation as "uncalled for".

The IAF had struck a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror training camp in Pakistan on February 26 in response to the February 14 Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

"Should our forces have stopped there to count the dead bodies? Brave jawans do not count the dead bodies, they keep marching ahead... Eagles count bodies," he said.

"Had there been 1, 2, 3 or 4 casualties, then we could have given a figure, but how can we tell (the exact casualties) when this figure was so high. I head the intelligence agencies. I would like to say we carried out the air strikes on the basis of credible and actionable inputs, and without violating Pakistan's sovereignty," the home minister said.

Singh said if the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was hailed for splitting Pakistan in 1971, then why can't Modi be lauded for the Balakot air strikes.

He addressed two election rallies in neighbouring Palghar district in support of Shiv Sena candidates from Thane and Palghar Lok Sabha constituencies.

Lashing out at the opposition for pointing fingers at electronic voting machines, he said, "The (voting) trend in the first phase of elections suggested the NDA would get a two-thirds majority. Soon the opposition launched an attack on EMVs.''

"When these people (Congress) won (assembly polls) in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh last year, then EVMs were right, but when they saw we are inching towards victory, they again started crying foul on EVMs", he said.

Singh strongly defended the alliance between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, saying it is based on their shared ideology of nationalism.

''No one can break the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in the state'', Singh asserted.

He said NCP chief Sharad Pawar had sensed his defeat in the Lok Sabha elections and hence decided to stay away from the poll fray.

Singh, contesting from the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat, lauded the government of Prime Minister Modi and said under his watch India saw a quantum jump in its economic ranking.

"We were languishing at the 9th position among the top 10 countries (before 2014). But since the Modi-led government took charge, our country witnessed a quantum jump and we secured the 6th position among the top 10 countries," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.

"And I would like to say...In the coming years, we are going to attain the 5th position," Singh said.

The home minister said India is no more a country of the poor people and "we are now one of the fastest-growing economies in the world".

It is unfortunate that Congress president Rahul Gandhi is "using foul" language against the prime minister of the country, Singh said.

''To say `chowkidar chor hai' (Rahul's jibe at the PM over the Rafale deal) is stooping too low. I was shocked when I first heard such a language for our prime minister'', he said.

"The Congress government did not buy a single next-generation fighter plane in the last 30 years. Had we got Rafale jets, we could have destroyed Pakistan-based (terror) camps while sitting in India," Singh said.

Instead of attacking the PM, the Congress should introspect why it is losing base, he said.

The BJP veteran said the Congress governments under Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi made "failed" efforts to eliminate poverty and Rahul Gandhi is now going on the same path (with his Nyay scheme).

He said the Congress-led UPA government built 25 lakh housing units from 2008 to 2014, while the BJP-headed NDA government constructed 1.30 crore houses between 2014-2018.

Nowhere in the world you will see the "karishma" (miracle) of 34 crore bank accounts being opened in such a short time (under Jan Dhan Yojana), he said, adding this could happen only due to Modi's leadership.

Singh said only five crore people are left in the extremely poor category and added "we will abolish this poverty in the coming five to seven years".

Thane and Palghar are among the 17 Lok Sabha seats that will vote in the fourth and final phase in Maharashtra on April 29

Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh Wednesday said the number of terrorists killed in the Balakot air strikes was "high", and accused the Congress of politicising the anti-terror operation by the IAF.

Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh Wednesday said the number of terrorists killed in the Balakot air strikes was "high", and accused the Congress of politicising the anti-terror operation by the IAF. He hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for using "foul language" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Claiming the BJP would get a clear mandate in the Lok Sabha elections, Singh said he has no doubt in his mind that NDA allies will retain power with a three-fourths majority. He said the Congress is politicising the Balakot air strikes and dismissed its demand of proof of casualties in the operation as "uncalled for". The IAF had struck a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror training camp in Pakistan on February 26 in response to the February 14 Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. "Should our forces have stopped there to count the dead bodies? Brave jawans do not count the dead bodies, they keep marching ahead... Eagles count bodies," he said. "Had there been 1, 2, 3 or 4 casualties, then we could have given a figure, but how can we tell (the exact casualties) when this figure was so high. I head the intelligence agencies. I would like to say we carried out the air strikes on the basis of credible and actionable inputs, and without violating Pakistan's sovereignty," the home minister said. Singh said if the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was hailed for splitting Pakistan in 1971, then why can't Modi be lauded for the Balakot air strikes. He addressed two election rallies in neighbouring Palghar district in support of Shiv Sena candidates from Thane and Palghar Lok Sabha constituencies. Lashing out at the opposition for pointing fingers at electronic voting machines, he said, "The (voting) trend in the first phase of elections suggested the NDA would get a two-thirds majority. Soon the opposition launched an attack on EMVs.'' "When these people (Congress) won (assembly polls) in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh last year, then EVMs were right, but when they saw we are inching towards victory, they again started crying foul on EVMs", he said. Singh strongly defended the alliance between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, saying it is based on their shared ideology of nationalism. ''No one can break the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in the state'', Singh asserted. He said NCP chief Sharad Pawar had sensed his defeat in the Lok Sabha elections and hence decided to stay away from the poll fray. Singh, contesting from the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat, lauded the government of Prime Minister Modi and said under his watch India saw a quantum jump in its economic ranking. "We were languishing at the 9th position among the top 10 countries (before 2014). But since the Modi-led government took charge, our country witnessed a quantum jump and we secured the 6th position among the top 10 countries," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said. "And I would like to say...In the coming years, we are going to attain the 5th position," Singh said. The home minister said India is no more a country of the poor people and "we are now one of the fastest-growing economies in the world". It is unfortunate that Congress president Rahul Gandhi is "using foul" language against the prime minister of the country, Singh said. ''To say `chowkidar chor hai' (Rahul's jibe at the PM over the Rafale deal) is stooping too low. I was shocked when I first heard such a language for our prime minister'', he said. "The Congress government did not buy a single next-generation fighter plane in the last 30 years. Had we got Rafale jets, we could have destroyed Pakistan-based (terror) camps while sitting in India," Singh said. Instead of attacking the PM, the Congress should introspect why it is losing base, he said. The BJP veteran said the Congress governments under Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi made "failed" efforts to eliminate poverty and Rahul Gandhi is now going on the same path (with his Nyay scheme). He said the Congress-led UPA government built 25 lakh housing units from 2008 to 2014, while the BJP-headed NDA government constructed 1.30 crore houses between 2014-2018. Nowhere in the world you will see the "karishma" (miracle) of 34 crore bank accounts being opened in such a short time (under Jan Dhan Yojana), he said, adding this could happen only due to Modi's leadership. Singh said only five crore people are left in the extremely poor category and added "we will abolish this poverty in the coming five to seven years". Thane and Palghar are among the 17 Lok Sabha seats that will vote in the fourth and final phase in Maharashtra on April 29

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Rajnath Singh slams Congress over Balakot air strikes, 'chowkidar' jibe

Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya told the Bombay High Court Wednesday that by declaring him a fugitive economic offender and allowing attachment of his assets, a special court had awarded him an "economic death penalty".

Mallya made the statement through his counsel Amit Desai before a bench of justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre, during arguments on his plea challenging several provisions of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act that came into existence in August last year.

"My debts and the interest on such debts are mounting. I have assets to pay off these debts but the government won't allow the use of these assets to clear the debts. I have no control over my properties," the businessman said.

"This is an economic death penalty that has been awarded to me," he said.

Desai urged the court to pass an injunction against the proceedings related to confiscation of his assets across the country.

The bench, however, refused to grant any interim relief on the petition.

A special court here had in January declared Mallya a fugitive economic offender (FEO) under provisions of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.

Later, Mallya approached the high court, challenging the provisions of the act that permits, among other things, confiscation of assets and placing them under the control of the Union government.

He also filed another petition challenging the special court order that declared him an FEO which was being heard by another division bench of the high court.

Desai argued that the FEO Act was "draconian" and "unconstitutional" as it allowed the Centre to confiscate everything, irrespective of whether a property was bought from the proceeds of a crime or not.

Mallya's plea was opposed by the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) counsel D P Singh, who argued that the Act was not draconian at all.

"This act is not draconian. In fact, this act prohibits prosecuting agencies from acting on their own. For everything, including attachment of properties, we are supposed to get a court order that is passed only after hearing all sides," Singh said.

"This act is meant for Mallya-like people only. It is not ordinary legislation. The act has been constituted to bring back defaulters who have defaulted amounts of Rs 100 crore and above," the counsel said.

The court, too, noted that the legislation was a sound one and not draconian.

"We understand this legislation is a little harsh. But that is because it deals with draconian situations," the bench said.

It, however, issued a notice to the attorney general to respond to Mallya's plea challenging the act.&nbsp;

Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya told the Bombay High Court Wednesday that by declaring him a fugitive economic offender and allowing attachment of his assets, a special court had awarded him an "economic death penalty".

Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya told the Bombay High Court Wednesday that by declaring him a fugitive economic offender and allowing attachment of his assets, a special court had awarded him an "economic death penalty". Mallya made the statement through his counsel Amit Desai before a bench of justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre, during arguments on his plea challenging several provisions of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act that came into existence in August last year. "My debts and the interest on such debts are mounting. I have assets to pay off these debts but the government won't allow the use of these assets to clear the debts. I have no control over my properties," the businessman said. "This is an economic death penalty that has been awarded to me," he said. Desai urged the court to pass an injunction against the proceedings related to confiscation of his assets across the country. The bench, however, refused to grant any interim relief on the petition. A special court here had in January declared Mallya a fugitive economic offender (FEO) under provisions of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. Later, Mallya approached the high court, challenging the provisions of the act that permits, among other things, confiscation of assets and placing them under the control of the Union government. He also filed another petition challenging the special court order that declared him an FEO which was being heard by another division bench of the high court. Desai argued that the FEO Act was "draconian" and "unconstitutional" as it allowed the Centre to confiscate everything, irrespective of whether a property was bought from the proceeds of a crime or not. Mallya's plea was opposed by the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) counsel D P Singh, who argued that the Act was not draconian at all. "This act is not draconian. In fact, this act prohibits prosecuting agencies from acting on their own. For everything, including attachment of properties, we are supposed to get a court order that is passed only after hearing all sides," Singh said. "This act is meant for Mallya-like people only. It is not ordinary legislation. The act has been constituted to bring back defaulters who have defaulted amounts of Rs 100 crore and above," the counsel said. The court, too, noted that the legislation was a sound one and not draconian. "We understand this legislation is a little harsh. But that is because it deals with draconian situations," the bench said. It, however, issued a notice to the attorney general to respond to Mallya's plea challenging the act.

Declaring me fugitive offender is like giving 'economic death penalty': Vijay Mallya tells Bombay High Court

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a major road show in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on Thursday before he sets out to file his nomination paper on Friday, April 26.

The PM's roadshow will pass through the main areas of the temple town before culminating at Dashashwamedh Ghat where he will participate in "Ganga Aarti", the BJP said.

Top BJP leaders including party president Amit Shah and other leaders of NDA including many Chief Ministers are expected to attend the roadshow going from Lanka near Banaras Hindu University to the Dashashwamedh Ghat via Godoliya.

PM Modi is expected to be accompanied by seniormost leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party including Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, Piyush Goyal and others.

Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states are expected to be in Varanasi. NDA leaders including Shiromani Akali Dal chief Parkash Singh Badal, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Lok Jan Shakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan will also be present on this occasion, the party said.

The prime minister will land at Varanasi's Babatpur airport around 2 pm in the afternoon, before heading to the helipad at Banaras Hindu University and taking the car from there to Lanka, from where the roadshow will begin. PM Modi will first garland the statue of Madan Mohan Malviya at the location, before embarking on the roadshow, BJP said in a statement.

Before filing his nomination PM Modi will visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple to offer prayers.

"Now, the people of Varanasi do not spit 'paan' here and there after chewing it. I mean to say that the Varanasi has changed and has developed a lot but without compromising its values," said Kaushal Kishore Sharma, a professor at BHU.

"Earlier there were wires all over but now the lines have been made underground. Ganga is much cleaner now," he said.

Ashok Dwivedi, the chief trustee of Kashi Vishwanath Temple said that not only in Varanasi but people all over India want that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should avail a second term.

"I visited many states and cities like Cuttack, Bengaluru, Chennai, Haryana etc and believe me the public is seeing hope in PM Modi for they think that he will resolve their small regional issues and will revoke Article 35A and 370 related to Jammu and Kashmir. People are quite confident that he will lead India ahead under his strong leadership," said Ashok Dwivedi.

Seers are also rallying in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that he has done unprecedented developmental works and has clean the Ganga as never before.

"You can take Ganga water and drink it. You will not get ill. PM Modi has worked for cleaning Ganga. 80 per cent of saints are in favour of Narendra Modi," said seer Neelkanth.

Meanwhile, security is heightened in the city ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit with adequate troops and security personnel deployed strategically. Small drones have also been deployed to keep an eye on activities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a major road show in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on Thursday before he sets out to file his nomination paper on Friday, April 26.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a major road show in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on Thursday before he sets out to file his nomination paper on Friday, April 26. The PM's roadshow will pass through the main areas of the temple town before culminating at Dashashwamedh Ghat where he will participate in "Ganga Aarti", the BJP said. Top BJP leaders including party president Amit Shah and other leaders of NDA including many Chief Ministers are expected to attend the roadshow going from Lanka near Banaras Hindu University to the Dashashwamedh Ghat via Godoliya. PM Modi is expected to be accompanied by seniormost leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party including Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, Piyush Goyal and others. Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states are expected to be in Varanasi. NDA leaders including Shiromani Akali Dal chief Parkash Singh Badal, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Lok Jan Shakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan will also be present on this occasion, the party said. The prime minister will land at Varanasi's Babatpur airport around 2 pm in the afternoon, before heading to the helipad at Banaras Hindu University and taking the car from there to Lanka, from where the roadshow will begin. PM Modi will first garland the statue of Madan Mohan Malviya at the location, before embarking on the roadshow, BJP said in a statement. Before filing his nomination PM Modi will visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple to offer prayers. "Now, the people of Varanasi do not spit 'paan' here and there after chewing it. I mean to say that the Varanasi has changed and has developed a lot but without compromising its values," said Kaushal Kishore Sharma, a professor at BHU. "Earlier there were wires all over but now the lines have been made underground. Ganga is much cleaner now," he said. Ashok Dwivedi, the chief trustee of Kashi Vishwanath Temple said that not only in Varanasi but people all over India want that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should avail a second term. "I visited many states and cities like Cuttack, Bengaluru, Chennai, Haryana etc and believe me the public is seeing hope in PM Modi for they think that he will resolve their small regional issues and will revoke Article 35A and 370 related to Jammu and Kashmir. People are quite confident that he will lead India ahead under his strong leadership," said Ashok Dwivedi. Seers are also rallying in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that he has done unprecedented developmental works and has clean the Ganga as never before. "You can take Ganga water and drink it. You will not get ill. PM Modi has worked for cleaning Ganga. 80 per cent of saints are in favour of Narendra Modi," said seer Neelkanth. Meanwhile, security is heightened in the city ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit with adequate troops and security personnel deployed strategically. Small drones have also been deployed to keep an eye on activities.

PM Modi to file nomination on April 26, security beefed up in wake of roadshow today

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