Opposition parties led by the Congress on Friday met vice president and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and handed over a notice for the impeachment of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.

According to sources, 64 MPs of the Rajya Sabha belonging to seven political parties gave the notice for the impeachment against the CJI.

The MPs who signed the notice belong to the Congress, the NCP, the CPI-M and CPI, the SP and the BSP.

The leaders of these parties earlier met in Parliament and gave final shape to the notice for impeachment.

After the meeting, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad confirmed that the leaders were moving the notice for impeachment against CJI.

Among those who attended the meeting in Parliament were Congress leaders Azad, Kapil Sibal and Randeep Surjewala, besides CPI's D Raja and NCP's Vandana Chavan.

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INC COMMUNIQUE 
 
Statement issued by seven Opposition Parties led by LoP Rajya Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/ghulamnazad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ghulamnazad</a> on impeachment motion against the Chief Justice of India. <a href="https://t.co/BQfoBARog1">pic.twitter.com/BQfoBARog1</a>
— INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCSandesh/status/987241058730852352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Chief Justice has not asserted the independence of the judiciary: Kapil Sibal

Kapil Sibal said that the Opposition parties did not have any option apart from filing an impeachment notice. He said that the Chief Justice had not asserted the independence of the judiciary.

"We only wish to state that anyone occupying the office of Chief Justice of India must be judged on the basis of highest standards of integrity. The first charge relates to the conspiracy to pay illegal gratifications," Sibal said.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, in a press conference, said that Opposition parties had moved impeachment motion under five grounds of misbehaviour.

SC terms public statements on the impeachment of judges 'unfortunate'

The Supreme Court termed as very unfortunate the public statements, including those made by lawmakers, on the impeachment of judges.

"We are all very disturbed about it," a bench comprising Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said after the counsel appearing for the petitioner raised the issue of politicians making public statements on the impeachment of judges.

The apex court asked Attorney General KK Venugopal to assist it to deal with the plea, which has also sought a gag on the media from reporting such statements.

(With inputs from Agencies)

According to sources, 64 MPs of the Rajya Sabha belonging to seven political parties gave the notice for the impeachment against the CJI.

Opposition parties led by the Congress on Friday met vice president and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and handed over a notice for the impeachment of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. According to sources, 64 MPs of the Rajya Sabha belonging to seven political parties gave the notice for the impeachment against the CJI. The MPs who signed the notice belong to the Congress, the NCP, the CPI-M and CPI, the SP and the BSP. The leaders of these parties earlier met in Parliament and gave final shape to the notice for impeachment. After the meeting, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad confirmed that the leaders were moving the notice for impeachment against CJI. Among those who attended the meeting in Parliament were Congress leaders Azad, Kapil Sibal and Randeep Surjewala, besides CPI's D Raja and NCP's Vandana Chavan. INC COMMUNIQUE Statement issued by seven Opposition Parties led by LoP Rajya Sabha @ghulamnazad on impeachment motion against the Chief Justice of India. pic.twitter.com/BQfoBARog1 — INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) April 20, 2018 × Chief Justice has not asserted the independence of the judiciary: Kapil Sibal Kapil Sibal said that the Opposition parties did not have any option apart from filing an impeachment notice. He said that the Chief Justice had not asserted the independence of the judiciary. "We only wish to state that anyone occupying the office of Chief Justice of India must be judged on the basis of highest standards of integrity. The first charge relates to the conspiracy to pay illegal gratifications," Sibal said. Ghulam Nabi Azad, in a press conference, said that Opposition parties had moved impeachment motion under five grounds of misbehaviour. SC terms public statements on the impeachment of judges 'unfortunate' The Supreme Court termed as very unfortunate the public statements, including those made by lawmakers, on the impeachment of judges. "We are all very disturbed about it," a bench comprising Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said after the counsel appearing for the petitioner raised the issue of politicians making public statements on the impeachment of judges. The apex court asked Attorney General KK Venugopal to assist it to deal with the plea, which has also sought a gag on the media from reporting such statements. (With inputs from Agencies)

CJI impeachment row: Seven parties move motion to sack Dipak Misra

Opposition parties led by the Congress today met vice president and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and handed over a notice for impeachment of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.

According to sources, over 60 MPs of the Rajya Sabha belonging to seven political parties gave the notice for the impeachment against the CJI.

The MPs who signed the notice belong to the Congress, the NCP, the CPI-M and CPI, the SP and the BSP.

The leaders of these parties earlier met in Parliament and gave final shape to the notice for impeachment.

After the meeting, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad confirmed that the leaders were moving the notice for impeachment against CJI.

Among those who attended the meeting in Parliament were Congress leaders Azad, Kapil Sibal and Randeep Surjewala, besides CPI's D Raja and NCP's Vandana Chavan.

Sources said the Trinamool Congress and the DMK, which were initially in favour of the impeachment against the CJI, are no longer part of it.

The impeachment notice comes a day after the Supreme Court rejected a bunch of petitions seeking an independent probe into the death of Judge B H Loya, who was hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case.

The SC judgement was delivered by a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India.

An impeachment motion in the Rajya Sabha has to be supported by at least 50 MPs of the Upper House, while the number of MPs supporting such a motion in the Lok Sabha is 100.

Once the notice of impeachment is submitted to the Rajya Sabha chairman, he will ascertain whether there is merit or ground for moving such a motion.

In case he finds merit, then he may form a committee to look into it, else he can reject it.

If moved, this will be the first time ever in the country's history that an impeachment would be moved against the Chief Justice of India.&nbsp;

The MPs who signed the notice belong to the Congress, the NCP, the CPI-M and CPI, the SP and the BSP.

Opposition parties led by the Congress today met vice president and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and handed over a notice for impeachment of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. According to sources, over 60 MPs of the Rajya Sabha belonging to seven political parties gave the notice for the impeachment against the CJI. The MPs who signed the notice belong to the Congress, the NCP, the CPI-M and CPI, the SP and the BSP. The leaders of these parties earlier met in Parliament and gave final shape to the notice for impeachment. After the meeting, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad confirmed that the leaders were moving the notice for impeachment against CJI. Among those who attended the meeting in Parliament were Congress leaders Azad, Kapil Sibal and Randeep Surjewala, besides CPI's D Raja and NCP's Vandana Chavan. Sources said the Trinamool Congress and the DMK, which were initially in favour of the impeachment against the CJI, are no longer part of it. The impeachment notice comes a day after the Supreme Court rejected a bunch of petitions seeking an independent probe into the death of Judge B H Loya, who was hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case. The SC judgement was delivered by a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India. An impeachment motion in the Rajya Sabha has to be supported by at least 50 MPs of the Upper House, while the number of MPs supporting such a motion in the Lok Sabha is 100. Once the notice of impeachment is submitted to the Rajya Sabha chairman, he will ascertain whether there is merit or ground for moving such a motion. In case he finds merit, then he may form a committee to look into it, else he can reject it. If moved, this will be the first time ever in the country's history that an impeachment would be moved against the Chief Justice of India.

Opposition parties meet vice president, give notice for impeachment of CJI Dipak Misra

The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on Monday refuted the charges made by Congress President Rahul Gandhi regarding the NaMo app and described the latter as "technologically illiterate".

"Congress President Rahul Gandhi is technologically illiterate," BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said.

Patra went on to add, "He (Rahul Gandhi) does not know that data analysis is not equivalent to spying or snooping. This new age is the age of information technology, which Rahul Ji will not understand".

"Through the NaMo app, Prime Minister Narendra Modi communicates with the ground level party workers. It is a smart app and like all smart apps, it will be called smart only if it facilitates two-way communication with ease," he added.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for misusing his app NaMo to build a personal database with data on millions of Indians.

"Modi misusing PM position to build personal database with data on millions of Indians via the NaMo App promoted by Govt. If as PM he wants to use tech to communicate with India, no problem. But use the official PMO APP for it. This data belongs to India, not Modi"

Earlier on Sunday, he tweeted, "Hi! My name is Narendra Modi. I am India's Prime Minister. When you sign up for my official App, I give all your data to my friends in American companies."

Rahul made the statement after media report quoted a French security researcher claiming that the Narendra Modi app sends all the device info and personal data including email IDs, photos, gender and names of the users without consent to a third-party domain belonging to an American company.

However, Government sources on Sunday clarified that the app does not ask for a blanket access to the users' personal data.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell head Amit Malviya also hit back at the former and accused him of sharing users' data from his party's official App with Singapore firm.

Taking to his Twitter handle, Malviya on Monday shared a picture of the disclaimer of the site and targeted the Congress party for being upfront to accept that they will share the data with a third party.

"Hi! My name is Rahul Gandhi. I am the President of India's oldest political party. When you sign up for our official App, I give all your data to my friends in Singapore," Malviya Tweeted.

"Full marks to @INCIndia for stating upfront that they'll give your data to **practically anyone** - undisclosed vendors, unknown volunteers, even 'groups with similar causes'. In the theft of all forms, Congress has never been discreet !," he added.&nbsp

The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on Monday refuted the charges made by Congress President Rahul Gandhi regarding the NaMo app and described the latter as 'technologically illiterate'

The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on Monday refuted the charges made by Congress President Rahul Gandhi regarding the NaMo app and described the latter as "technologically illiterate". "Congress President Rahul Gandhi is technologically illiterate," BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said. Patra went on to add, "He (Rahul Gandhi) does not know that data analysis is not equivalent to spying or snooping. This new age is the age of information technology, which Rahul Ji will not understand". "Through the NaMo app, Prime Minister Narendra Modi communicates with the ground level party workers. It is a smart app and like all smart apps, it will be called smart only if it facilitates two-way communication with ease," he added. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for misusing his app NaMo to build a personal database with data on millions of Indians. "Modi misusing PM position to build personal database with data on millions of Indians via the NaMo App promoted by Govt. If as PM he wants to use tech to communicate with India, no problem. But use the official PMO APP for it. This data belongs to India, not Modi" Earlier on Sunday, he tweeted, "Hi! My name is Narendra Modi. I am India's Prime Minister. When you sign up for my official App, I give all your data to my friends in American companies." Rahul made the statement after media report quoted a French security researcher claiming that the Narendra Modi app sends all the device info and personal data including email IDs, photos, gender and names of the users without consent to a third-party domain belonging to an American company. However, Government sources on Sunday clarified that the app does not ask for a blanket access to the users' personal data. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell head Amit Malviya also hit back at the former and accused him of sharing users' data from his party's official App with Singapore firm. Taking to his Twitter handle, Malviya on Monday shared a picture of the disclaimer of the site and targeted the Congress party for being upfront to accept that they will share the data with a third party. "Hi! My name is Rahul Gandhi. I am the President of India's oldest political party. When you sign up for our official App, I give all your data to my friends in Singapore," Malviya Tweeted. "Full marks to @INCIndia for stating upfront that they'll give your data to **practically anyone** - undisclosed vendors, unknown volunteers, even 'groups with similar causes'. In the theft of all forms, Congress has never been discreet !," he added.

Rahul Gandhi is technologically illiterate: BJP

A Ram Navami pandal was vandalised on Saturday evening by unidentified miscreants in Bardhman district of West Bengal.

The pandal was set up by Bhartiya Janata Party members who have alleged that it was attacked by workers of Trinamool Congress.

Four persons are reported to be injured in the incident.

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West Bengal: 4 injured after a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamaNavami?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamaNavami</a> pandal set up by BJP workers was attacked by miscreants in Bardhaman last night. BJP alleged that TMC was behind the incident. Police investigation underway. <a href="https://t.co/WBP4LrrmJ4">pic.twitter.com/WBP4LrrmJ4</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977764065354317824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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A police investigation is also underway.

Security has also been stepped up in the region following the incident.&nbsp;

The BJP has further planned rallies across the state to celebrate the festival fuelling the tension in the state.

In Kolkata also several rallies were organised reportedly by members of the Sangh Parivar.

Following the rally announcement made by BJP workers, TMC had also announced that it would organise Ram Navami in several districts as the&nbsp;festival is not very popular in the region.

So far no reports of any violence have been reported from any district.

West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee had also instructed police to no permit any organisation to hold processions displaying arms during Ram Navami.

However, news agency ANI reported Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti was seen brandishing swords in a procession at Siliguri, West Bengal.

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Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti took out a procession on the occasion of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamNavami?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamNavami</a> where people were seen brandishing swords, in West Bengal&#39;s Siliguri <a href="https://t.co/UZudBIo0Hn">pic.twitter.com/UZudBIo0Hn</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977827172902633472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The pandal was set up by Bhartiya Janata Party members who have alleged that it was attacked by workers of Trinamool Congress

A Ram Navami pandal was vandalised on Saturday evening by unidentified miscreants in Bardhman district of West Bengal. The pandal was set up by Bhartiya Janata Party members who have alleged that it was attacked by workers of Trinamool Congress. Four persons are reported to be injured in the incident. West Bengal: 4 injured after a #RamaNavami pandal set up by BJP workers was attacked by miscreants in Bardhaman last night. BJP alleged that TMC was behind the incident. Police investigation underway. pic.twitter.com/WBP4LrrmJ4 — ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018 × A police investigation is also underway. Security has also been stepped up in the region following the incident. The BJP has further planned rallies across the state to celebrate the festival fuelling the tension in the state. In Kolkata also several rallies were organised reportedly by members of the Sangh Parivar. Following the rally announcement made by BJP workers, TMC had also announced that it would organise Ram Navami in several districts as the festival is not very popular in the region. So far no reports of any violence have been reported from any district. West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee had also instructed police to no permit any organisation to hold processions displaying arms during Ram Navami. However, news agency ANI reported Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti was seen brandishing swords in a procession at Siliguri, West Bengal. Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti took out a procession on the occasion of #RamNavami where people were seen brandishing swords, in West Bengal's Siliguri pic.twitter.com/UZudBIo0Hn — ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018 ×

West Bengal: Ram Navami pandals vandalised, BJP accuses TMC

The Sensex and Nifty rose on Friday, with financial stocks such as Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd (HDFC) boosting the indexes after it said it is selling two of its units to Quikr India.

Mortgage lender HDFC said it is selling HDFC Developers and HDFC Realty to online classified advertising platform Quikr India and added it has bought a stake in Quikr.

Housing Development Finance Corp rose 0.3 percent.

The Nifty was up 0.4 percent at 10,486.10 as of 0528 GMT, while the Sensex rose 0.5 percent to 33,939.59.

&quot;Things are looking reasonably good. Earnings are expected to be decent. Some of the key concerns like the fear that BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party) might lose Gujarat elections, implications of flattening yields in the US, crude oil concerns or domestic inflation..all these seem to have abated,&quot; said Sunil Sharma, chief investment officer at Sanctum Wealth Management.

&quot;Investors are getting comfortable with valuations. As long as growth comes through, markets are going to move higher, although at a gradual pace.&quot;

For the week, the NSE index was on track to end 1.5 percent higher, while the BSE index looked set to gain 1.4 percent.

Among the gainers, state-run lenders such as State Bank of India rose 1.6 percent, pushing the Nifty PSU bank index 1.6 percent higher.

Refining stocks such as Reliance Industries Ltd gained, as oil prices dipped away from 2015 highs reached in the previous session weighed down by rising U.S. output.

Reliance Industries rose 0.8 percent.

Indian markets will be closed on Monday for Christmas.

Mortgage lender HDFC said it is selling HDFC Developers and HDFC Realty to online classified advertising platform Quikr India and added it has bought a stake in Quikr

The Sensex and Nifty rose on Friday, with financial stocks such as Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd (HDFC) boosting the indexes after it said it is selling two of its units to Quikr India. Mortgage lender HDFC said it is selling HDFC Developers and HDFC Realty to online classified advertising platform Quikr India and added it has bought a stake in Quikr. Housing Development Finance Corp rose 0.3 percent. The Nifty was up 0.4 percent at 10,486.10 as of 0528 GMT, while the Sensex rose 0.5 percent to 33,939.59. "Things are looking reasonably good. Earnings are expected to be decent. Some of the key concerns like the fear that BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party) might lose Gujarat elections, implications of flattening yields in the US, crude oil concerns or domestic inflation..all these seem to have abated," said Sunil Sharma, chief investment officer at Sanctum Wealth Management. "Investors are getting comfortable with valuations. As long as growth comes through, markets are going to move higher, although at a gradual pace." For the week, the NSE index was on track to end 1.5 percent higher, while the BSE index looked set to gain 1.4 percent. Among the gainers, state-run lenders such as State Bank of India rose 1.6 percent, pushing the Nifty PSU bank index 1.6 percent higher. Refining stocks such as Reliance Industries Ltd gained, as oil prices dipped away from 2015 highs reached in the previous session weighed down by rising U.S. output. Reliance Industries rose 0.8 percent. Indian markets will be closed on Monday for Christmas.

Sensex, Nifty rise; financial stocks lead