Uttar Pradesh News Archive: June 2007

Lucknow Muslims start signature campaign against Rushdie’s knighthood

Tuesday, June 26, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, June 25 (ANI): Muslims here have launched a signature campaign protesting against the knighthood granted by the UK to noted Indian born British author Salman Rushdie, whose novel the 'Satanic Verses' had outraged Muslims worldwide when it was published in 1988.

Hundreds of Muslims signed the boards, kept outside various mosques, condemning knighthood to Rushdie.

The protestors said the award to Rushdie has hurt religious sentiments of the Muslims.

Maulana Khalid Rashid, Naib Imam of Edgah, Lucknow, said: "They have rewarded him for insulting our religion. They are playing with the sentiments of the Muslims. There is already a law in England according to which no one can say anything against Christianity. No one should be allowed to insult anyone's religion. We have started a signature campaign to register our protest against knighthood to author Salman Rushdie. Hundreds of people have signed the board to register their protest”.

Several religious, separatist and militant organisations have condemned the knighthood, which Queen Elizabeth bestowed on noted writer last week for services to literature.

The 'Satanic Verses' prompted protests, some violent, by Muslims in many countries after its publication. It also earned him a fatwa from the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, then Iran’s supreme religious leader, on February 14, 1989.

In early 2005, Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reaffirmed his predecessor, Ayatollah Khomeini's fatwa in a message to Muslim pilgrims making the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

Muslims say the novel is blasphemous as it ridicules Prophet Mohammad, the Holy Koran and events in the early Muslim history.

Elsewhere, high-ranking officials of the British Foreign Ministry have said the knighthood was given in recognition of the author’s contribution to literature and was not intended to insult Islam or Prophet Mohammad.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's Taliban insurgents have also condemned the knighthood.

Rushdie has been honoured with several prizes including the Booker Prize for 'Midnight's Children' in 1981 and the Booker of Booker, a special award honouring the best novel in the 25-year history of the prize, in 1993. (ANI)

Police recovers foetuses from a pond in Dewaria

Tuesday, June 26, 2007 | MP
Dewaria (UP), June 25 (ANI): Police on Monday recovered plastic jars stuffed with foetuses from a pond in Uttar Pradesh's Dewaria District.

Police, along with health officials, recovered foetuses in Dewaria, which they suspect to have come from the laboratory of an illegal Tibia medical college, which was closed down last year.

Police said the foetuses were noticed floating in the water by some children playing near the pond.

"The foetuses have been sent for post-mortem and their X-ray is being done to determine their age. There was a Tibia medical college, which was just next to the pond. The college was closed down last year because it was not recognised. Day before yesterday the college was cleaned and it is being said that the foetuses were thrown from the college laboratory," said Deputy Inspector General of Police, G L Meena.

At least 12 skull pieces and some femurs have also been recovered from the pond, adding there could be more, said Meena.

Though pre-natal sex determination is officially banned in the country, they are conducted surreptitiously to help couples` preference for sons. (ANI)

Mayawati files nomination for UP Legislative Council by-polls

Tuesday, June 26, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, June 25 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today filed her nomination papers for the State Legislative Council.

The BSP supremo is neither a member of the State Legislative Assembly or the Council, and so she is Constitutionally bound to become a member of either of the Houses to continue as the Chief Minister of the State.

However, Mayawati chose to become the member of the Legislative council rather than being elected from an Assembly seat.

She justified her decision to contest the Council by-polls by stating that she wanted to concentrate on all the Assembly constituencies of the State.

The by-polls are being held for two Council seats, which felt vacant due to the death of the sitting member.

Mayawati is all set to win the polls along with BSP Swami Prasad Maurya as they are the only candidates, who have filed their nomination papers for the two seats.

The results of the by-poll will be announced on July 5.

On May 13 Mayawati became 32nd Chief Minister of UP after her party secured a simple majority in the State Assembly elections. (ANI)

UP yoga expert floats on water

Friday, June 22, 2007 | MP
Agra (UP), June 22 (ANI): Harish Chaturvedi, a trained swimmer and a yoga expert of Agra, is able to perform yogic asanas while keeping his body afloat in water.

Chaturvedi is able to perform 25 yogasanas (yogic postures) on water such as Shavasana, Padmasana and Uthanpurmasana.

He claims that Yogasanas on water boosts human body's immunity to diseases. "It is better than normal yoga. It enhances body's fighting capacity and can prevent ailments," he claims.

He says yogasanas performed in water are more effective than the asanas on land. It filters the human body and soul of all the impurities. “Self-immunity increases so much that you yourself get to know what is missing in your body and what you should eat and what not," he said.

Thirty-six-year-old Chaturvedi has practiced the asanas strenuously to master the art.

At the age of 18, while in Kolkata, Chaturvedi learnt swimming in the waters of River Hooghly. Later he learnt yoga from a couple of Sadhus (monks) at Bateshwar, a tiny town near Agra.

Chaturvedi, who has been imparting yoga training for the last 15-20 years, has many school children as his disciples.

Students admit that it is a bit tough to balance in water while performing yogic exercises. "It is difficult as one has to keep the body afloat along with performing yoga,” said Prateek Karla, a yoga student.

Chaturvedi can stand still in water for more than 15 minutes! (ANI)

An artist's depiction of Sonia Gandhi as goddess evokes anger

Friday, June 22, 2007 | MP
Muradabad (UP), June 21 (ANI): An artist's depiction of Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi as a Hindu goddess has evoked angry reactions from BJP activists in Uttar Pradesh.

BJP leaders in the state have threatened to take strict action against the picture, saying it is an insult to the entire community.

The Congress, trying to stay clear of any controversy, has said it has nothing to do with the painting.

"This is the personal feeling of an artist. He can depict any one in whichever way he wants to. He has not been hired by the Congress," said Ajay Saraswat Soni, a Congress worker in Muradabad.

Soni said the poster was gifted to him by an ardent fan of Sonia, but would not be used for any of the party's official functions.

The poster apparently shows Sonia with several arms, each depicting a department of the party organisation being handled by her.

The BJP has however, rejected Soni's statement and said such an artwork was unacceptable.

"Depiction of Sonia Gandhi as a Goddess is an insult to the Hindu community and we will protest against it," said BJP leader Vinod Agarwal. (ANI)

Two Huji militants arrested in Lucknow

Friday, June 22, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, June 21(ANI): The Special Task Force of Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday arrested two Harkat-ul-Jihad al Islam (Huji) suspects and recovered RDX, besides detonator wires and remote switches.

The two were arrested from different places along with seven kilograms of RDX, five detonator wires, three improvised watches with timer wires, batteries and remote switches, said UP Director General of Police, GL Sharma.

While Mohammad Yaqoob alias Shakir was arrested from Charbagh area, Nasir alias Chotu was arrested near a lodge in Naka area in the city, he added.

Yaqoob and Nasir are residents of Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnore District and were planning to carry out dissident activities in Lucknow, said Sharma. (ANI)

Lucknow adopts high-tech solution to check stray cattle menace

Thursday, June 21, 2007 | MP
By Kamna Mathur

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), June 21 (ANI): Civic authorities in Lucknow have started planting microchips in cows to check stray cattle menace.

The Municipal Corporation has hired a private agency to plant a specially designed microchip inside the abdomen of every cow.

The chip inserted inside cows, has details about the owner, and help authorities to track them. Cattle owners will be charged with fee for insertion of the chip.

Dinesh Singh, Mayor of Lucknow said that to make Lucknow beautiful, clean and pollution free, there was need for an integral campaign which will incorporate the new measures.

"It is a sure shot identification. After the chip has been placed it can never come out and it will act as an identification of the cattle containing the entire bio-data including information such as the owner of cattle and, where it has come from, and many other details," said Sandeep Singh, a representative of the company which supplied the microchips.

Cattle owners also appreciate the move, as it would make it easier for them to keep a tab on their animals.

"After this chip has been put in we can track our animals in case they get lost. We otherwise had to look everywhere for the animals when they strayed off," said Hanumant Yadav, a cattle owner.

The microchip is inserted into the cow through its mouth using a medical rod known as the applicant. (ANI)

Sadhvi Rithambara Ashram trains women in martial arts

Saturday, June 16, 2007 | MP
Vrindaban (Uttar Pradesh), June 16 (ANI): Sadhvi Rithambara's ashram located at Vrindaban in Uttar Pradesh, in addition to cultivating devotion in women, is now engaged in training them in martial arts and arms.

Sadhvi ashram became a virtual military academy imparting training in karate, horse-riding, handling air guns and pistols during the ten-day Women's Self-Defence Camp, which concluded on Friday. The latest batch consisted of 50 young girls.

Dipti, a student in the latest batch said "We are taught shooting, driving and horse-riding. As far as shooting is concerned, it will help us in bad times, in case we join army."

The training is being imparted by an authentic instructor. Kundan Singh Pathania, who taught the girls, is an ex-army soldier. He said: “We taught them range discipline - how not to cross the firing line, not to fire without order, not to press finger on the trigger. They fire only on orders and moreover there is always a supervisor to ensure safety.”

The organisers say that their aim is to change Indian women, steeped in Hindu religious traditions and expected to be meek and docile, confident and reliant in self-defence.

One watched for fiery speeches from Sadhvi Rithambara. Now look out for her students, confident and tough. (ANI)

CBI can act as prosecuting agency in Babri case: UP court

Saturday, June 16, 2007 | MP
Rae Bareli, June 15 (ANI): The Rae Bareli District Court today said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) can act as a prosecuting agency in the Babri mosque demolition case filed against former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and six others.

Special Judge Vanshraj Singh said that the CBI could also launch a prosecution.

The case will be taken up on July 5 for further hearing.

On March 22, the Supreme Court had rejected a plea seeking a review of its November 2002 order, allowing the trial of the Babri Masjid demolition case to continue in a Rae Bareli court instead of transferring it to a Lucknow court.

In September 2003, the Rae Bareli court had quashed the charges against Advani while deciding to proceed against the other seven persons.

The demolition of the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, had triggered nationwide communal frenzy. (ANI)

UP students protest alleged irregularities in medical entrance test

Saturday, June 16, 2007 | MP
Allahabad/Lucknow, June 16 (ANI): Medical aspirants in Uttar Pradesh have demanded re-evaluation of their result, alleging irregularities in the Combined Pre-Medical Test.

In Allahabad, scores of students hit the roads yesterday as a mark of protest against the alleged irregularities in the test, results for which were declared on Thursday.

"We want that our tests to be re-evaluated. We have been grouped as non-qualifiers securing 70 marks whereas we expected about 150 marks," said Sandip Tiwari, a protester.

Traffic was disrupted for several hours as students, shouting slogans, burnt tyres on road and created roadblocks.

A state roadways bus was damaged in Lucknow and later set on fire. Two children were injured, as students pelted stones on the bus while some passengers were still inside.

"Group of young boys came and started pelting stones. The vehicle stopped and then they set fire to it. Half of the passengers could not get out of the bus when the fire started. We rescued them from the driver's door," said Rashid Ali, bus conductor.

Police said they would take action against those students engaged in vandalism.

"After investigating the matter, we will identify the students who engaged in vandalism and take stern action against them," said G.V. Jogdand, Senior Superintendent of Police, Lucknow. (ANI)

The dark side of Firozabad glassware

Friday, June 15, 2007 | MP
Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh), June 15 (ANI): Glassware made in Firozabad city has continued to charm people for ages. Bangles made here have been a rage among women for centuries. But very few know the conditions in which the workers make the glassware.

The beautiful bangles and chandeliers are crafted at the glass melting and blowing furnaces where temperatures vary from 500 degrees centigrade to 1200 to 1400 degrees centigrade.

When it gets too hot, the workers ‘douse’ their bodies in water. Glassware is the only work they know. It has been a profession followed by their ancestors. The only concession shown by the owners is that when the temperature increases, the time of duty of the workers is reduced.

There are about 400 factories registered with the Firozabad administration in Uttar Pradesh. Fifty per cent of total output of these units is exported. And, the glassware from Firozabad reaches all parts of the world.

The ‘factories’ are located in small lanes and by-lanes of the town and many of the workers live around them. They have been practising the profession for generations.

An estimate is that there are over 50,000 workers employed in the factories in Firozabad. They are paid wages varying from rupees 70 to rupees 250 per day. The nearer they are to the furnace, the more they are paid.

Very few have thought for providing better working conditions for the workers.

The Secretary of the Factory Owners Association says: “We are not forcing the craftsmen to work. They work to fulfil their family needs. It is true that it is very hot inside the factories – but the workers have got used to it.”

Since the 19th century, Firozabad has been manufacturing drinking glasses, beer glasses, wine glasses, dinner table sets, such as bowls, plates, lemon-sets, pudding sets and other material in attractive designs.

The factories also manufacture beakers, flasks, containers and other scientific wares required in various schools and universities.

Next time, you have a drink or relish a pudding, please spare a though043 t for the workers.
(ANI)

UP court to hear Babri mosque demolition case

Friday, June 15, 2007 | MP
Rae Bareli, June 15 (ANI): A Uttar Pradesh district court will today hear the Babri Masjid demolition case against senior BJP leaders L K Advani, M M Joshi and six others.

Special Judicial Magistrate Vanshraj Singh had posted the matter for today after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) counsel failed to appear on June 8.

Besides Advani and Joshi, Bharatiya Janshakti Party leader Uma Bharti, BJP General Secretary Vinay Katiyar, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders Ashok Singhal, Acharya Giriraj Kishore and Vishnu Hari Dalmiya, and Sadhvi Ritambhara have been named as accused in the case.

Advani is among those accused of inciting communal passions by making inflammatory statements.

In September 2003, the Rae Bareli court had quashed the charges against Advani while deciding to proceed against the other seven persons.

The demolition of the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, had triggered nationwide communal frenzy. (ANI)

SC to announce verdict on Mayawati’s appointment as UP CM

Wednesday, June 13, 2007 | AA
New Delhi, June 13 (ANI): The Supreme Court will today announce its decision on a petition challenging the appointment of Mayawati as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

On June 11, a vacation bench of Justices Arijit Pasayat and P.P. Naolekar had reserved orders after hearing a Lucknow-based advocate, Ashok Pandey, who had filed a quo warranto writ petition.

The case against Mayawati and her Cabinet colleague Satish Chandra Mishra is that they had not resigned their Rajya Sabha membership before assuming their present posts.

On May 13, she became the 32nd Chief Minister of UP. Mayawati is not a member of the State Legislature and would have to contest election within six months of taking oath of as the Chief Minister. (ANI)

Yellow rain scares Uttar Pradesh village

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 | AA
Kaushambi (Uttar Pradesh), June 12 (ANI): Yellow rain lashed Maqdumpur Qazi village in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi District for over a week. Villagers feel the yellow rains are due to divine displeasure. The dried up drops dot the concrete floors, roofs and dish antennae across the village. The villagers are scared that the pungent yellow drops, may be a sign of pending catastrophe or an epidemic. "The phenomenon is on for the past eight-ten days. It happens between 6.30 to 7.15 pm. Villagers believe that it is a natural calamity. We are definitely going to face problems, " said Rajendra, a villlager. A team of researchers from Allahabad University has reached the village to investigate the cause of the pale raindrops. Samples have also been sent to a laboratory in Lucknow .(ANI)

Verdict deferred in case challenging Mayawati becoming UP CM

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 | AA
New Delhi, June 11 (ANI): Bahujan Samaj Party chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today got a respite from the Supreme Court, as the court has reserved its verdict after hearing a petition challenging her appointment as the State’s CM.

Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice P P Naolekar reserved the judgment after hearing the arguments of Mayawati’s counsel Shail Kumar Dwivedi and petitioner Ashok Pandey.

The case against Mayawati and her Cabinet Colleague Satish Chandra Mishra is that they had not resigned their Rajya Sabha membership before assuming their present posts.

On May 13, she became the 32nd Chief Minister of UP. Mayawati is not a member of the State Legislature and would have to contest election within six months of taking oath of as the Chief Minister. (ANI)

Leafhopper destroys 22 pc of sugarcane crops in UP

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 | AA
Sardar Nagar (UP) June 11(ANI): Sugarcane pyrilla or the leafhopper has destroyed 22 per cent of sugarcane crops in seven districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Pyrilla has damaged almost 22 per cent of the total seven million tonnes of expected output of sugarcane in seven districts of eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. Farmers said insecticides were not effective in killing this insect.

Some farmers had even sought divine help to save their crop.

"Pyrilla is damaging our crops. The crop has stopped growing because of it. The pesticides which we use do not have any effect on this pest," said Sitaram, a farmer.

Pyrilla attack causes up to 36 per cent reduction in sucrose content of juice and up to 50 per cent reduction in sugar output.

According to sugarcane specialists, pyrilla is prevalent in most sugarcane farms and as soon the weather becomes cool, the parasite attached to this insect becomes active and starts destroying the crop.

"We have suggested to farmers that they should buy pesticides from their nearest Sugarcane Development Department office or any other pesticide shop and use it on their crop. Number of pesticides like cyper matherine and alpha matherine are effective on this particular pest," said Om Prakash Gupta, of Sugarcane Research Institute, Gorakhpur.

Farmers should use inorganic pesticides such as endosulphan or monochrotophaus with caution if their crops were less than five months old, and maintain adequate moisture in the soil, added Gupta.

A bio-control agent, an insect wasp called 'Epiricania melanoleuca' was introduced to counter leaf hoopers in infested plantations. This insect parasitoid attacks and kills sugarcane leafhoppers.

Both the pyrilla nymphs and adults suck sap from the undersurface of the leaves withering and spreading it. It also reduces photosynthesis and the infested leaves gradually become pale and dry up.

Pyrilla has been affecting sugarcane crops in eastern Uttar Pradesh for the last five years.

Sugar production in the region is expected to fall by 2 per cent because of the crop damage. (ANI)

Allahabad High Court admits Bachchan's petition

Saturday, June 9, 2007 | AA
Allahabad, June 8 (ANI): In a major relief to Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, the Allahabad High Court today admitted his petition challenging a Faizabad court order that scrapped his ownership of a farmland in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki District.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court also stayed the Faizabad Additional Commissioner’s order quashing Bachchan's ownership of the land.

In his petition Bachchan said that the Faizabad court's order exceeded its jurisdiction by not hearing his version and going into the merits of the case.

The court has posted the matter for further hearing on June 23.

The court also gave four week's time to the opposite party to respond.

On Thursday, the Uttar Pradesh Government told the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court that Bachchan allegedly committed another fraud by claiming that he was a resident of 17, Clive Road, Allahabad, in his application for farmland allotment in Barabanki District’s Daulatpur village.

UP Government’s lawyer D K Upadhya alleged that Bachchan’s father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, lived at the said residence till 1958 after which the house was sold.

Meanwhile, Bachchan who is in Yorkshire for the International Indian Film Academy Awards has reportedly refused to give his comments, saying that the matter is sub-judice.

On June 1, a Faizabad court had rejected Bachchan's claim by scrapping his ownership of the farmland in Barabanki, declaring it illegal.

The court rejected Bachchan’s petition against a Barabanki District Magistrate's order that cancelled the transfer of land in Daulatpur village to his name.

After hearing the arguments of Bachchan’s counsel, Additional Commissioner (Administration) V S Prasad, upheld the March 24, 2006 order, which quashed the transfer of two bighas and five biswa' of land by the Barabanki consolidation officer.

The Barabanki District Magistrate had declared that the mode of transfer of land to Bachchan was illegal and directed that a case be lodged in the matter. (ANI

13 killed, 27 injured in a road mishap in UP

Saturday, June 9, 2007 | AA
Hafizpur (UP), June 8 (ANI): Thirteen passengers were killed and 27 others were injured in a road mishap in Hafizpur town in Uttar Pradesh on Friday.

The mishap occurred early this morning when a speeding bus hit a tree, said police.

The driver of a private bus, plying between Meerut and Bulandshahar, lost control and rammed the bus into a tree.

The injured are being treated at various hospitals in the neighbouring towns.

"We saw that a number of people were trapped inside the bus. We somehow managed to get 27 people out with the help of villagers. They were immediately rushed to different hospitals nearby," said a local.

"The driver was driving in full speed. We were talking aloud ...we wanted him to slow down. We did not know what was the hurry," said Rehna, an injured.

At least 70 passengers were travelling in the bus. (ANI)

Hooch brews thrive in UP

Friday, June 8, 2007 | AA
Gorakhpur (UP), June 7 (ANI): Hooch breweries continue to thrive in Uttar Pradesh, despite frequent crackdowns by the enforcement agencies.

Makeshift brews dot the countryside, fearlessly doling out barrels of cheap and often toxic lemon and orange flavoured drink.

The hooch or country-made liquor is hugely popular with the poor – mostly slum dwellers, rickshaw pullers and small farmers, who consume it, despite frequent reports of mass deaths due to its consumption.

Frequent raids by the State excise officials, which regulate the manufacture and supply of intoxicants, does not deter the operators altogether.

Recently, raids were conducted at Hetinpur in Kushinagar District where Excise officials destroyed a large amount of liquor.

Brinda Shahi, Assistant Excise Commissioner of Gorakhpur, said: “We conduct raids at places where illicit liquor is produced on large scale. Subodhgiya is also famous for illicit liquor. There also we had conducted raids. We are conducting periodic raids after every 10-day gap, which has discouraged many illicit liquor producers in the State".

Locals allege a nexus between liquor mafia and police.

“We have tried many times to stop this activity (illicit liquor production) in our village as it has a negative impact on our children. The police or the excise officials don't do anything about it. They come and take money from these people, and leave without taking any action against them," said Jitendra Bharati, a local.

Hundreds often take ill due to poor quality of ingredients used in brewing the liquor -- highly intoxicating Mahua flowers (Botanical name Madhuca indica), jaggery and filthy water -- but that does not deter the boozers.

Sale of alcohol in India is permitted only through licensed liquor outlets. Unlicensed liquor trade is illegal and every year hordes of people die due to consumption of illicit liquor. (ANI)

Local court rejects application filed against CBI in Nithari killings

Thursday, June 7, 2007 | AA
Ghaziabad (UP), June 6 (ANI): A local court here today rejected an application filed by an advocate against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Noida Police in connection with the alleged fake diary preparation in a case relating to murder of Payal, one of the victims in the Nithari serial killings.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Himanshu Bhatnagar rejected the application filed an Advocate Khalid Khan saying that the matter is subjudice in a CBI court.

On June 4, a special CBI court had dismissed a petition against the "clean chit" given by the agency to one of the main accused in the Nithari killings Maninder Singh Pandher relating to the murder of a 14 year-old girl. The CBI had instead framed charges against co-accused Surender Koli in two cases.

In the cases of the rape and murder of Payal and 21-year-old Pinki Sarkar, the court framed charges against Koli, servant of businessman Pandher, under sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape) and other provisions of the IPC.

Nineteen people, mostly children, were killed at a sprawling bungalow in Uttar Pradesh's industrial town of NOIDA. (ANI)

BSP workers clash with police

Thursday, June 7, 2007 | AA
Mainpuri (Uttar Pradesh), June 6 (ANI): Bahujan samaj Party (BSP) activists today clashed with police following the arrest of one of their leader in a murder case.

Workers of Uttar Pradesh's ruling BSP pelted stones on police, following the arrest of their local leader on murder charges.

"We had gone to the house of a person wanted in a murder that took place on May 26. The activists were agitated and they pelted stones at us. We tried to disburse them," Mainpuri Senior Superintendent of Police, Vijay Singh Meena said.

Enraged BSP activists went to the local police station and set ablaze a police vehicle.

At least one person is reported to have injured in the violence. (ANI)

Amitabh moves to Allahabad HC

Wednesday, June 6, 2007 | AA
Allahabad, June 5 (ANI): Cinestar Amitabh Bachchan today filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court challenging a Faizabad Court order that scrapped his ownership of farmland in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki District.

Bachchan is accused of illegally acquiring village land in Uttar Pradesh to establish his claims of being a farmer.

On June 1, a Faizabad court rejected Bachchan's claim of being a farmer by scrapping his ownership of farmland at Barabanki by declaring it illegal.

The court rejected Bachchan’s petition against Barabanki District Magistrate's order cancelling transfer of a land in Daulatpur village in his name.

After hearing the arguments of Bachchan’s counsel, Additional Commissioner (Administration) V S Prasad, upheld the March 24, 2006 order quashing the transfer of two bigha and five biswa' land by the Barabanki consolidation officer.

The Barabanki District Magistrate had declared that the mode of transfer of land to Bachchan was illegal and directed to lodge an FIR in the matter.

In the wake of Faizabad court’s June 1 order, the Pune Collectorate has decided to scrutinise Bachchan's documents and testimonials relating to purchase of over 20 acres of agricultural land near Pavana Dam in Maval taluka of the Pune District.

As per the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Land Act, 1963, only farmers can own agricultural land in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane has said that the Government would seize the actor's farmland at Pavana if it was found that he had used fake means to purchase property.

Previous Mulayam Singh Yadav Government had allotted three bighas (about 70,000 sq ft) of prime land in Daulatpur village of Barabanki District to Bachchan, a close confidante of the Samajwadi Party. (ANI)

CBI to Court: UP Gov. said no to Mayawati’s prosecution in Taj Corridor Case

Wednesday, June 6, 2007 | AA
Lucknow, June 5 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today told a special designated court that Uttar Pradesh (UP) Governor T V Rajeswar had declined to sanction the prosecution of UP Chief Minister Mayawati and her cabinet colleague in connection with the Rs 175 crore Taj Heritage Corridor Case.

CBI Session Judge Rekha Dixit has deferred further hearing of the case to July 5 after one of the accused -- former Uttar Pradesh Environment Principal Secretary R K Sharma -- sought time to file a rejoinder to the CBI's intervention application challenging a court order, which sanctioned prosecution of public servants.

The CBI, had on May 15, moved an adjournment application seeking time to file the same.

The CBI has been probing the case for the past three years, under the direct monitoring of the Supreme Court. In November 2006, it set aside the CBI's status report seeking closure of the case.

The Taj Corridor Project proposed to give a facelift to the areas surrounding Agra's major monuments along the Yamuna. Included in the venture was a blueprint for a swanky shopping mall.

The plan was put forward by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and consultancy firm German Technical Cooperation in 2001. It was part of a series of proposals collectively referred to as the 'Environment Management Plan — Agra'. Under the project, the CPCB had conceptualised a heritage corridor covering five historical monuments, including Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Ram Bagh, Etmad-ud-Daula's tomb and Chini ka Rauza.

All this was in disregard of the guidelines laid down by the Environment Ministry and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The grandiose scheme fell to pieces when it came under media scrutiny in mid-June 2003. (ANI)

Herbal flavoured hookahs back in Lucknow

Monday, June 4, 2007 | AA
Lucknow, June 4 (ANI): Hookah, the traditional tobacco smoking pipe, long known as an integral part of the royal lifestyle, is making a comeback in Lucknow’s social circles. The new breed of hookah lovers are fascinated by herbal flavoured hookahs.

The hookah lost its popularity with the advent of cigarettes from the West, but is back in vogue.

Helping in its revival are many upcoming trendy theme restaurants, which are trying to blend tobacco with herbal flavours.

Sellers claim the herbal hookah is non-addictive, and in fact, good for health.

"We have all kinds of flavours-apple, pineapple, rose, chocolate, mixed, coke etc. It is a good thing for people who want to quit smoking, as it doesn't harm the body,” said Babu Miyan, a hookah seller.

“The smoke comes filtered through water stored in the base of flavoured hookah. It is good for people of all ages. It doesn't affect the heart. It has zero percent tobacco," Miyan added.

Even those hooked to the hookah vouch addicts can use it to quit smoking.

"It’s good thing. If somebody wants to quit tobacco, he should have this hookah just once, only then he will realise the joy of smoking this hookah. It is very common in big hotels nowadays. They charge 200 rupees for smoking for an hour," said Raheed Hussein, a hookah lover.

The new trends emerging are of non-tobacco hookahs with herbal flavours. Several modern restaurants are famous for this. The hookah even without tobacco has become a matter of status.

Hookah lounges are mostly found in college towns and urban areas and are regarded by some as a novel and chic way to socialize.

A hookah is a multi-stemmed, often glass-based, water pipe device for smoking. A hookah operates by water-filtration and indirect heat.

It can be used for smoking many substances, such as herbal fruits and tobacco. Depending on the locality, hookahs are known by many names, such as a shisha/sheesha, nargeela/nargile/narghile/nargileh/narguilé, argeela/arghileh/arguilé, okka, kalyan, gewat suckre, hubble bubble, or ghelyoon/ghalyan.

Many of these names are of Arab, Indian, Turkish, Uzbek, or Persian origin. (ANI)

Taj corridor case deferred till June 5

Sunday, June 3, 2007 | AA
Lucknow, June 1 (ANI): A special CBI Court here on Friday deferred the hearing into the rupees-175-crore Taj Corridor case, in which Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is an accused, till June 5.

The hearing was deferred after one of the accused - former Uttar Pradesh Environment Principal Secretary R K Sharma - sought time to file a rejoinder on the CBI’s intervention application challenging a court order sanctioning prosecution of public servants.

The CBI did not file sanction for prosecution of the six accused persons in the case today.

Even, there was no mention of Governor's sanction as the CBI was directed by the court in February to produce the Governor's sanction for prosecution of Mayawati and five others, including former State Environment Minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui, under Secretary Rajendra Prasad and Additional General Manager of NBCC Mahendra Sharma.

The CBI had on May 15 moved an adjournment application seeking time to file the same.

The CBI has been probing the case over the past three years, under direct monitoring of the Supreme Court. In November 2006, it set aside the CBI's status report seeking closure of the case.

The Taj Corridor Project proposed to give a facelift to the areas surrounding Agra’s major monuments along the Yamuna. Included in the venture was a blueprint for a swanky shopping mall.

The plan was put forward by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and consultancy firm German Technical Cooperation in 2001. It was part of a series of proposals collectively referred to as the ‘Environment Management Plan — Agra’. Under the project, the CPCB had conceptualised a heritage corridor covering five historical monuments, including Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Ram Bagh, Etmad-ud-Daula’s tomb and Chini ka Rauza.

All this was in disregard of the guidelines laid down by the Environment Ministry and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The grandiose scheme fell to pieces when it came under media scrutiny in mid-June 2003. (ANI)

Devotees offer cigarettes at Captain Baba

Sunday, June 3, 2007 | AA
Lucknow, June 1 (ANI): Though smoking or drinking at any religious place can offend many believers at Captain Baba’s mausoleum in Lucknow, offering cigarettes is a gesture of respect.

It is believed all prayers can be answered on lighting cigarettes a-la joss sticks. And, a large number of Hindus and Muslims do so while visiting this sacred mausoleum here.

Everyday, hundreds of cigarettes are offered by devotees who visit this place to seek blessings of Captain Baba.

"One of my uncles told me that many of his wishes were fulfilled once he visited Captain Baba's shrine. I accompanied him on the first occasion. Now, I am regular visitor. All wishes are fulfilled here", said Ram Gopal Pal, a devotee.

It is said Gore Baba alias Mohammad Ashim, worked as Captain in the British Army when the British ruled India. He died during the uprising of 1857. But he had a special liking for the “Capstan” brand of cigarette.

After his death, a mausoleum was built and today it is revered as “Captain Baba’s Dargarh”. As he was known for smoking cigarettes, the followers started a convention to offer the same at his mausoleum.

The devotees bring this particular brand as their expression of affection for the Baba.

Gore Baba was a highly respected person and some believed he had divine qualities. Later, admirers started calling him Captain Baba.

Every Thursday, there is a big rush at Captain Baba’s mausoleum and all visitors, irrespective of caste or creed, come along their cigarettes.

"We have deep faith in Baba. He is near to God. However, we are just his devotees who come here to seek blessing for ourselves and our children," said Aquil Ahmed, a devotee.

'After lighting the cigarette, I express my desires to Baba. The wishes are fulfilled, so we have faith in Baba", said Nazim Ali, a devotee.

People light the cigarettes and insert them in cracked crevices on Captain Baba’s grave, just like incense sticks are lit at mausoleums. (ANI)

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