Baba Ramdev's health worsens, moved to hospital in Dehradun

Haridwar:  Yoga guru Baba Ramdev was taken on a stretcher from his ashram in Haridwar this afternoon; he will be admitted to the ICU at the Jolly Grant Hospital in Dehradun. Before that, doctors who examined him said his hunger strike, now in its seventh day, had affected his liver and caused his blood pressure to drop significantly.

So far, he has remained adamant about continuing his fast against black money and corruption. 

In Delhi, activist Swami Agnivesh met with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to discuss the Ramdev crisis. Mr Mukherjee is expected to brief the PM on the matter in the next few hours.

The government and Baba Ramdev have been at war since Saturday night, when he was evicted from his camp in Delhi where he had combined a sit-in protest with yoga classes and the launch of his hunger strike.
  
"His blood pressure is 104/70 which is low and pulse rate is 58 per minute which is also low. If his pulse rate and BP continue to go down, it may put some pressure on his heart," Chief Medical Officer Yogesh Chandra Sharma said after examining the Baba at his ashram.

Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar was scheduled to meet Baba Ramdev on Friday afternoon to persuade him to end his fast. 

Yesterday, district administration officials suggested that they may resort to force-feeding the Baba.

The yoga icon whose followers run into lakhs started his fast in Delhi at the Ramlila Maidan.  65,000 people were in attendance on Saturday night when the police broke up the camp with teargassing and a lathicharge. The Baba was evicted and flown back to Uttarakhand.

The action at Ramlila Maidan ended days of negotiation between the government and the Baba over his suggestions for how to tackle the problem of crores of untaxed money that have been shipped abroad. The late-night violence united Opposition parties who accused the government of violating citizens' right to peacefully protest.  Civil activists who have declared Gandhian Anna Hazare their leader pounded the government too, with public criticism and a one-day fast at Rajghat on Wednesday.

The government has disclosed that various tax inquiries are being conducted against the Baba's business empire whose reported turnover is more than a thousand crores. Yesterday, the Baba retaliated by declaring online the balance sheets of the four trusts that he runs for charitable purposes.  However, he did not share the financial records of the 34 companies that are linked to him and are run by his close aide, Acharya Balakrishna.

The Baba has also been forced to defend a controversial remark he made earlier this week - that he would recruit 11,000 young men and women who would reciprocate if attacked.   Yesterday, he said his remark had been distorted and misreported. "The words should be used in the right context... I said I will make a force who will not beat anyone but they will not get beaten either," the yoga teacher said, adding, "what is the harm or wrong if I speak about shaurya (valour)"

The Baba's remark - seen as incendiary by his critics - had also provoked criticism from other social activists and a warning of legal action from the government.

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Goa man's house raided after Facebook post on eating Indian bullfrog

PANAJI: Goa forest department officials conducted raids at the house of a youth here after he confessed on a popular social networking site, about killing Indian bullfrogs and eating them.

Officials said the youth was missing from his house as he has left for Mumbai. While the department has found traces of cooked frog at his place in Ribandar village, near here.

His parents are being questioned, they said. The Indian bullfrog is a protected species as per wildlife protection rules and state forest department has formed squads to crack down on poaching of frogs, which usually happens during monsoons here.

The youth identifying himself as Yoko Gomes, had uploaded the post on Facebook.

Wild Goa Network, a green NGO, had complained to the forest department about the poaching and post on the website.

"We had downloaded all the content from Facebook and attached it with the complaint," Clinton Vaz, an activist of Wild Goa Network, said.

The NGO which has been campaigning for last six years against frog poaching has said that they conduct awareness drive before the monsoons.

Vaz said they attained major success last year when they along with forest department managed to arrest a person with 60 live frogs in Margao town.

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Ramdev’s business empire worth over Rs 1,100 crore

Yoga guru Ramdev, who is on an indefinite hunger strike against black money and corruption, on Thursday made public details of his business empire worth over Rs 1,100 crore, claiming everything was in order. 

On his sixth day of fast, Baba Ramdev addressed a press conference here during which his close aide Acharya Balkrishna said that the capital involving the four trusts run by him totalled Rs 426.19 crore while the expenditure incurred on them amounted to Rs 751.02 crore.

“We believe in transparency in work and in financial matters. There is proper audit of all our firms and companies.

“As per rules, government renews our trusts after every two years only when our audits are clean. What has come and what has gone, who has given it and how was it spent, is all maintained,” Acharya Balkrishna said. 

The move to make public assets followed questions raised by Digvijay Singh and other Congress leaders who wanted a thorough probe into the source of the wealth acquired by Baba Ramdev in the last five years.

Acharya Balkrishna, however, did not give details of the companies associated with Baba Ramdev, saying it can be obtained from Registrar of Companies under the RTI Act.

“We pay tax as per government norms. TDS is deducted. We follow all rules. Details of all out associate companies can be taken from Registrar of Companies and from the government under the RTI Act. Tax details and balance sheets of trusts have been put on the web site,” he said.

While Divya Yoga Mandir Trust has a capital of Rs 249.63 crore, Patanjali Yogapeeth Trust has Rs 164.80 crore, Bharat Swabhiman Trust has Rs 9.97 crore and Acharyakul Shiksha Sansthan has Rs 1.79 crore — all totalling Rs 426.19 crore. The expenditure outlined for these trusts since their inception came to Rs 751.02 crore.

The yoga guru, who is on a fast since June 4 demanding that black money stashed away abroad be brought back, said his hunger strike will continue till his demands are met.

“Fast will continue till my objective is achieved. I do not care even if I die. The fast will go on,” Baba Ramdev said.

He also said that Patanjali Yogapeeth Trust will bear all expenses for the treatment of people injured in the police action at Ramlila grounds, especially Rajbala (the woman who received spinal injuries in the police lathicharge at Ramlila Ground) who has been grievously hurt.

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Samacheer Kalvi books “propaganda material”

The books printed under the ‘Samacheer Kalvi Thittam' (uniform school education scheme) of the DMK government were “propaganda material” made available in the name of the scheme, it was submitted before the Madras High Court on Thursday.

During arguments before the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice M.Y. Eqbal and Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, Advocate-General (AG) A. Navaneethakrishnan produced books printed under the scheme. Citing one of the contents, he said that half-a-page had been devoted to Chennai Sangamam, a cultural festival. Also, a poem of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was found in the books for all classes. That was not a subject one must learn in school. Young minds could not be politicised. “They have written about themselves at the cost of the government.”

To the question that nearly Rs.200 crore had been spent for printing books under the scheme, the AG said the sum had been spent by the previous government “for their own alleged glory.”

The present government, after going through the material, prima facie found that it was inferior.

The syllabus under the Samacheer scheme was not in the interest of welfare of the students of Tamil Nadu. The present government had followed the judgment of a Division Bench (which upheld the Tamil Nadu Uniform System of Education Act) in letter and spirit. Hence, it brought in the amendment to section 3 of the Act.

The present government had postponed the implementation of the law to enable introduction of a fresh syllabus that would enrich students' knowledge. It was committed to developing children in the right way.

“Our government has not abandoned (the scheme); but our government wants to introduce the scheme with good syllabus and textbooks.”

To the Chief Justice's question as to when the work would be completed, he said, “Within a year.” Books under the old syllabus would be made ready by June 15.

P. Wilson, appearing for a petitioner who opposed the amendment to section 3 of the Act, said education policy should be a one-time policy. It could not be changed now and then. N.G.R. Prasad, senior counsel appearing for the State Platform for Common School System, said without any material, the present government could not say that the entire syllabus under the Samacheer scheme was faulty.

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Tamil Nadu moves resolution to implead itself in Katchatheevu case

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday passed a unanimous resolution seeking the state revenue department to implead itself in a case filed by Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for retrieval of Katchatheevu island, ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974 by way of an agreement.

Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa moved the resolution even as the DMK was absent during the debate. The resolution said the case filed by Ms. Jayalalithaa as AIADMK chief in the Supreme Court in 2008 argued that the island was ceded to Sri Lanka without the consent of the two Houses of Parliament and contended the 1974 and 1976 accords between the two countries were illegal.

All party members including DMDK opposition leader Vijayakanth spoke in support of the resolution even as DMK was not present in the House.

Congress did not speak during the debate on the resolution.

Ms. Jayalalithaa flayed DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, who was Chief Minister in 1974 when Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka, saying he had failed to stop it and alleged it had resulted in number of deaths of Tamil Nadu fishermen at the hands of the Lankan navy.

Later the Assembly passed the resolution unanimously.

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Trisha says adopting a stray dog can make one happy

Popular actress Trisha is like an angel to stray dogs. She is the brand ambassador of PETA. She is advising her fans to adopt the stray dogs who are homeless. She tells to adopt dogs that are homeless and become an angel.

Trisha interestingly tells that how she adopted her pet dog Cadbury. She while speaking about this said, "I met my Cadbury when I was going for a shooting in Hyderabad. I was going in a car. I saw a small puppy injured. It was not able to walk. 

It was drenching in rain. I took this puppy and took him to a doctor and got it treated. It got well and started to come to the shooting spot everyday. It uses to accompany me wherever I go. One day it came to my house. I named him Cadbury and taking care of him everyday like a child. There are lots of dogs and cats struggling in India for their lives. Most of them are starving. Some gets injured or lose their lives because of accidents. The main reason is that they have no proper shelter. If we adopt these kinds of dogs and cats, we will be really happy."

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Rajni to be discharged in a day or two

Dhanush while speaking from Singapore about Rajnikanth’s health said, "Super star Rajni is keeping good health. He has become normal. He is healthy and happy like before. He will be discharged in few days. Super star’s health has improved because of the intensive treatment of doctors and prayers of Crores of his fans.

Latha Rajnikanth, my wife Aishwarya, her sister Soundarya, my sons Yaatra, Linga and I are staying in an apartment in Singapore. We all are taking care of Rajni who is admitted in the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. It has not been decided whether Rajni will be staying in this apartment after his discharge.

The doctors have advised complete rest after his discharge. Rajni only should decide that whether he will take rest in some other country or in this apartment or in Chennai. Rajni is now hail and healthy. He is cheerful and is watching TV in his room. He is reading devotional books. He is meditating and also walks in his room. Apart from this he is also indulging in some other exercises. He is playing with his grandsons. Rajni is very much interested to meet his fans on his return to Chennai."

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ELEPHANT ATTACK IN MYSORE - 1 MAN KILLED

Questions are being raised over the manner in which the Forest Department woke up to emergency calls that harried citizens made to the police, media and the forest department staff themselves, when two wild elephants strayed into Mysore city in the early hours of Wednesday. Was the Department too late to react to the anxious calls or was it ill-equipped to handle an unexpected situation, were the questions that many asked here during the capture of the elephant at Dhobi Ghat. 

“This is a lesson for the Forest Department to keep itself ready for any emergency related to animal attacks,” said Satish Naidu, who, along with his friend, kept track of the elephants that went on a rampage in the city, killing one person and injuring three others. Indeed, the city woke up to distressing TV visuals that showed the bull attacking a man, who eventually died. It also showed it attacking cattle. People also should be blamed in this incident as they threw stones at the animal making it furious, Mr. Naidu said. 

Caught off guard

In this case, the Forest Department was completely caught off-guard. It needs to remain in readiness to tackle emergencies, said Mahalingappa, who was playing football at the pavilion grounds when the bull passed by. Another person who was with him recalled an incident in which a palace elephant unshackled itself and came out to stroll down the streets a few years ago, but harmed no one. The animal returned to the palace later. Such emergencies could not be ruled out, he said. 

 

For Madaiah Naika, a watchman at a house under construction in Dhobi Ghat, his wife Jayasheela and two children, it was a horrifying scene to see the bull pass by their hut. Fortunately, the elephant turned the other way to find shelter in a small forested area. Rajamma, wife of another watchman, from nearby said she was petrified to see the animal pass at such a close distance. Doddamallappa from Salundi village was at hand to say, “think of the plight of the farmers who suffer from elephant attacks every day in remote areas close to forests”.

Ill-equipped

Some days ago, preparations were being made in Kodagu at Polibetta to capture one of the two wild elephants identified. The Forest Department had stated that the operations had begun, but there were no ropes, no medicines including the one required to immobilise the animal, leaving the staff in disarray. Medicines and veterinarians arrived only after days. Amidst cries from the people of the district who said translocation was no solution, the captured animal was shifted to Bandipur National Park. M.B. Prabhu, a member of the Elephant Core Committee, which had given recommendations to the government to contain the elephant problem in the State, feels that the same elephant has returned.

News of the elephants' presence had reached the forest officials as early as 6 a.m. but, they could not manage the experienced ‘kumkis’ (tamed elephants) either from K. Gudi, Balle or Murkal or Dubare camps in the following six hours. Field Director, Project Tiger, Ajay Mishra, told The Hindu at Dhobi Ghat that getting trucks to lift the elephants from the camps was too difficult as the vehicles had to go from Mysore to fetch them. In that case, trucks would come slowly and it could take at least five to six hours, Mr. Mishra said. He was informed about the elephants at 7 a.m. he said. The Forest Mobile Squad, wildlife staff, territorial staff along with officers had been put on job, Mr. Mishra stated. 

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Hazare ends day-long fast at Rajghat

After a day-long fast at the Rajghat on Wednesday against the police action on the Baba Ramdev-led demonstration against corruption, rights activist Anna Hazare threatened another indefinite fast if the government failed to cooperate in drafting the Lokpal Bill.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Hazare said that as a member of the Joint Drafting Committee (JDC) on the bill he was steadfast in his resolve to have a lokpal in place. Mr. Hazare said if the government failed to cooperate, he would launch an indefinite hunger strike on August 16 at Jantar Mantar, where he sat on a fast in April, and he would not give up till his last breath. He described his present agitation as the second struggle for independence.

Mr. Hazare announced his decision to go to villages to mobilise youth. He had started work in Maharashtra to persuade three lakh young people to join the movement.

He said the government was trying to belittle the civil society members on the Lokpal panel by levelling false allegations against them and setting out a few officers to unearth financial misdeeds. “When we have nothing what are you going to get? This behaviour is not good. Ask us to our face. We'll tell you. But nothing will deter us.”

Senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, who is the JDC co-chairperson, said this was just the first battle. He outlined the next phase of the struggle — to usher in greater reforms in the electoral system and judiciary. Another JDC member, Arvind Kejriwal, was particularly severe on Union Minister Kapil Sibal, wondering why the he was so upset at the names he called the government. “I was not wrong when I called them liars, cheats and conspirators. They released a fake CD, want to keep the Prime Minister out of the purview of the Lokpal and are taking the people for a ride by committing one scam after the other.”

The former IPS officer, Kiran Bedi, said the civil society members had not usurped the political space. They had just filled the void left by the political parties whom they first approached to take up the task of having a lokpal in place.

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Maran brothers made life threats to me: Former Aircel chief to CBI

NEW DELHI: Former Aircel chief C Sivasankaran has told the CBI that the then telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanidhi had allegedly issued life threats forcing him to sell his firm to a Malayasia-based tycoon, a charge rejected by the DMK leader.

He has provided the CBI a list of over 10 witnesses, mostly based abroad, to buttress his point that he was threatened by the Maran brothers, CBI sources said.

The list provided by Sivasankaran includes some bankers, venture capitalists, and lawyers who will be examined by the CBI in the course of its investigation into alleged irregularities in the award of licenses during the tenure of Dayanidhi as telecom minister.

In his statement, Sivasankaran has alleged that Kalanidhi, owner of Sun TV, had threatened him to sell Aircel to the Malaysia-based Maxis Chief T Anandakrishnan who is considered close to him, sources said.

Maxis had earlier issued a statement claiming its investment in Aircel was in full compliance with Indian laws and had the approval of the requisite authorities.

Dayanidhi had also refuted allegations against him by Sivasankaran.

"Most of you have been trying to make a story today saying that I forced, arm-twisted and strangulated a person to sell his business to other person. Let me tell you Sivasankaran is not a millionaire, but a multi-billionaire. No one can force anyone to sell the business," Maran had told reporters in Chennai.

The agency has registered a preliminary enquiry into allegations of irregularities in the award of telecom licenses between 2001-07 on the instructions of the Supreme Court.

The agency is likely to take a call on converting it into a regular case after filing its third supplementary chargesheet in the ongoing spectrum allocation scam which is likely by June 30, they said.

The agency is working on the inputs provided by Sivasankaran and whether those named by him could used as witnesses during the trial, they said.

Sivasankaran heads USD three billion conglomerate, Siva Group, with operations in realty, telecom, shipping, energy and agri exports and e-education/software.

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Anil Ambani to meet 2 ADAG officials in Tihar jail

NEW DELHI: Reliance ADA Group chairman Anil Ambani has been allowed to meet two senior executives of his parent company now lodged in Tihar prison who were arrested in connection with 2G scam case.

"We have granted permission to Anil Ambani to meet two of his Reliance executives now lodged in our prison. He will meet them after sunset," Neeraj Kumar, DG Tihar Prisons, said.

Ambani is expected to meet Gautam Doshi and Hari Nair who work for his parent company, the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.

Three top officials of Reliance ADA Group Gautam Doshi (the company's Managing Director), Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair have been accused of conspiracy and abetment of cheating in 2G spectrum allocation scam.

"Gautam Doshi and Hari Nair who are lodged in Jail no. 3 have been allowed to meet Anil Ambani. Surendra Pipara is in AIIMS," he said.

The three top officials of Reliance ADA Group have already completed 55 days of stay in the Tihar prison since April 20 after a special CBI court rejected their bail plea in the scam.

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Where will Rajini convalesce?

Rajinikanth’s son-in-law Dhanush has said that the Superstar is due to be discharged in a couple of days. The actor has said that Latha Rajini, his wife Aishwarya, sister-in-law Soundarya and sons Yathra and Linga are now living in an apartment in Singapore.

He revealed that Rajini may decide to stay in this apartment until he recuperates or may move on to another foreign country where the weather is conducive to his health conditions. Dhanush added that the Superstar may also decide on returning to the comforts of his home in Chennai and convalesce there.

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Sun buys Vengai

National award winner, Dhanush's film with director Hari, Vengai is gearing for a big release. Sun Pictures have bought the rights to the film for a record amount. Dhanush has a good track record with this banner with Paddikadhavan and Aadukalam making it big at the box office. Similar results are hoped for Vengai as well.

Tamannah is the heroine. Fresh after  the success of her Telugu film 100% Love, she is keen to consolidate her position in the Tamil industry as well. Music by Devi Sri Prasad is said to be rocking and the audio launch has been scheduled for June 10th.

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Shocking reality of Avan Ivan

A deep and intense research over rare issues always remains as one of the highlighting USPs of filmmaker Bala. The perfect exampless are  ‘Pithamaghan’ and ‘Naan Kadavul’ that delivered a realistic portrayal of Ganja business and physically challenged cohorts forced into begging.

The latest buzzes are that Bala’s ‘Avan Ivan’ is bounded to a serious theme that will leave lump in our throats. Set in backdrops of Theni, the film revolves around a group that sells aged cows (incapable of providing milk) to buyers in Kerala for the sake of consumption as beef. The cows are purchased with accordance to its weight. To ensure that they get more money, the sellers force the aged cows to consume thick layers of mud mixed with water as it would look hefty.

Though it is not officially confirmed by the crew of ‘Avan Ivan’, it is believed that Bala is capable of adding such elements as it has been evident with his previous movies.

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Ramdev's health deteriorates; doctors advise him to break fast

HARIDWAR: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev's health has started deteriorating as his fast for tougher anti-graft laws and bringing back black money from foreign nations, entered fifth day here on Wednesday.

Doctors attending to the yoga guru have advised liquid intake and requested him to end his fast soon.

"His health is going down. He has lost weight and is suffering from dehydration. He is not keeping well," chief medical officer, Haridwar Dr Yogesh Sharma said briefing mediapersons about Ramdev's regular check ups.

Sharma said, "We have requested that he should take liquid intake like milk and juices. It will be better if he ends his fast."

The yoga guru, along with hundreds of his disciples, is observing a fast from June 4 at Patanjali Yogapeeth, around 20 kms from here, to press for his demands of bringing back black money from foreign nations, tougher anti-graft laws and to uproot corruption from the country.

Earlier in the day, Ramdev did not show any sign of relentlessness and said that his fast will continue till Centre accepts all his demands.

"My fast is on along with thousands of my followers in each and every part of this country. People in 624 districts are on fast," he said.

He said, "I request children, old age people not to participate in the fast. Others should join this movement like many of their brethren."

Scores of Ramdev supporters are also participating in a day-long sit-in by social activist Anna Hazare demanding a strong anti-corruption Lokpal bill in New Delhi today.

Ramdev's followers continue to pour in from all over the country, raising anti-graft slogans, chanting holy songs and listening to sermons being given by religious leaders at the huge 'yagya shala' inside the Yogapeeth.

"We are with Baba till he ends his fast. There are many others who are also fasting along with him," said Lokesh, who has come from Haldwani near here to participate in the campaign.

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Anna Hazare sets Aug 15 deadline for Lokpal Bill

NEW DELHI: Beginning his day-long hunger strike at Rajghat to protest against corruption and the recent police brutality, the 73-year-old-Gandhi devotee Anna Hazare said that if the Lokpal Bill was not passed, he would fast unto death at Jantar Mantar from August 16.

Anna described his movement as the second battle of independence but underlined Gandhi's non-violent path. He said his Wednesday fast was to condemn the police action on Ramdev's supporters at Ramlila ground. Anna likened the police brutality to the British repression of Indians in Jalianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919. He advised his supporters to refrain from violence. "The government is very powerful, If we indulge in violence, it will give the government an excuse to quash the movement," he warned.

The Gandhian reiterated, "The government has forgotten that people are the masters and not the government. They need to understand that we are one, not different."

Anna is holding his symbolic one-day fast at Rajghat, the site where Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, was cremated. Thousands of Anna supporters came out to join his fast despite severe heat and made their way through heavy police presence at the venue. Nationalistic songs in catchy beats were sung and cheered at passionately by Anna supporters. Baba Ramdev's Bharat Swabhiman Trust activists were also seen among the massive crowd. Lots of people have been stopped ahead of barricades because of the heavy turnout.

Earlier, the veteran lawyer and civil society member of the drafting committee on Lokpal bill, Shanti Bhushan described Anna Hazare the modern day Gandhi. At this the crowed cheered loudly.

Taking a dig at the Congress led UPA govenment Bhushan said, "The (UPA) ministers don't know constitution. They think of themselves as viceroys of the British era. The right of the police to invoke section 144 was misused for Jantar Mantar to justify the unjust action at Ramlila." Bhushan reiterated that the movement against corruption was not about the lokpal bill but about fundamental rights.

The social activist and leader of the 'Indian Against Corruption' movement Arvind Kejriwal said that if his
agitation became communal, he would be the first person to leave it. Kejriwal was referring to the government accusation that the anti-corruption movement was a communal Hindu right wing sponsored movement.

In an offensive against the government, he said, "The ministers have been elected but why are they acting so arrogantly and threatening us?" He challenged the UPA ministers to declare their assets and the political parties to declare their sources of funding. "The government asked us to declare our assets and we did it in 24 hours. We showed where we got and spent money, how much was spent on Ramlila fast. Now we demand the ministers and the political parties to do it too. Let the Congress, the BJP and all other parties give details of the expenses on their rallies for the last five years."

When Kejriwal mentioned the union minister Kapil Sibal's name, the audience booed and yelled 'shame, shame, Kapil Sibal hai, hai, Kapil Sibal murdabad.' The booing went on for at least five minutes. Incidentally, Rajghat falls under the Lok Sabha constituency from where Kapil Sibal has been elected.

Cries of 'shame, shame' became louder when Kejriwal mentioned that the government had refused to bring the prime minister, ministers and horsetrading within the ambit of lokpal.

Kejriwal announced that the next agitation would be on electoral reforms and right to justice. He received huge applause.

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Jayalalithaa announces Rs one lakh as solatium to kin of deceased in bus accident

The Tamil Nadu government today announced Rs one lakh as solatium to the kin of those killed in last night’s road accident at Vellore.

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa informed the Assembly that 22 persons had been killed in the accident after the Pollachi bound private bus lost control and hit a culvert before falling into a 10-feet-deep ditch.

Under its impact, the A/C equipment in the bus burst following which the vehicle caught fire. 

“Twenty two persons were killed on the spot and the dead have been charred beyond recognition. Their identities are being ascertained from the ticket list available with the bus operator,” she said. 

One passenger and the driver of the bus had survived the accident and both of them were being administered with medical treatment, she said. 

Expressing her condolence over the death, Ms. Jayalalithaa also announced Rs 50,000 to the injured.

The Chief Minister said she had deputed three ministers to review the situation. 

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Delhi High Court dismisses Kanimozhi’s bail plea

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed the bail plea of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Member of Parliament Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar, accused in the 2G spectrum case, saying there are prima facie evidences against them.

“There are certain prima facie evidences against the accused. Considering the complicity of the accused in the offence, the bail applications are dismissed,” Justice Ajit Bharihoke said.

Ms. Kanimozhi’s mother Rajathi Ammal and DMK parliamentary party leader T.R. Baalu were present in the courtroom when the order was pronounced.

Ms. Kanimozhi, the 43-year-old daughter of DMK president M. Karunanidhi, and Mr. Kumar were named by the CBI for allegedly receiving a kick back to tune of Rs. 200 crore.

Both Ms. Kanimozhi and Mr. Kumar have 20 per cent stake each in Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd which allegedly received Rs. 200 crore through a “circuitous” route from Shahid Balwa promoted D.B. Realty.

DMK chief’s wife Dayalu Ammal, who has been left out of the list of accused, owns the remaining 60 per cent shares in the channel.

Ms. Kanimozhi and Mr. Kumar had moved the high court on May 23 challenging the trial court’s order which had rejected their bail pleas, saying the offence attributed to them was grave and the possibility of influencing the witnesses cannot be ruled out.

CBI Special Judge O.P. Saini had on May 20 rejected the bail pleas of Ms. Kanimozhi and Mr. Kumar and ordered their “forthwith” arrest. They are currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

Ms. Kanimozhi, who sought bail in the special court on the ground of being a woman, had approached the high court seeking relief citing the need to look after her school—going child who is devoid of her care as his father is working abroad.

Justice Bharihoke had on May 23 dismissed bail pleas of five corporate honchos, including Unitech Group MD Sanjay Chandra and Reliance ADAG MD Gautam Doshi in the case, saying there was a possibility that they may influence the witnesses.

Keywords: 2G spectrum scam, Kanimozhi bail plea

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