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Police fabricating evidence,
says arrested Kanchi seer

What is India News Service, Thursday, 18 November 2004, 2000 hrs IST

Senior seer of the Kanchi mutt Sri Jayendra Saraswati told a magistrate court on Thursday that he would not get justice if sent to police custody.

He asserted he had been implicated falsely by the police who were "fabricating evidence." He said he was not told that he was being arrested, and only that he was being to the Sankara Mutt for investigation.


No government takeover of mutt: Jayalalithaa on Wednesday ruled out taking over the administration of the Kanchi Shankara Mutt. "We do not have any sort of such plan. The government has high regard for the 2500-year-old institution. The mutt should continue its tradition of preserving the Hindu religion," she told the state assembly in an obvious reference to DMK president M Karunanidhi's demand for taking over the Mutt administration. "We want that the mutt should not be defamed. We do not want the mutt to come to a standstill," she said.

Police have 'shocking' and 'solid' information, says CM:  Police have "shocking" and "solid" information on Sri Jayendra  Saraswathi's links with the murderers of Sankararaman, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa told the state 
assembly. 

No troops cut in Siachen, says Pranab: The Government will reduce the number of troops all over Jammu and Kashmir in a phased and planned manner but it will not be thinned down on the world's highest battlefield Siachen glacier, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said.

BJP warns UPA not to lower Kashmir guard: The BJP on Wednesday advised the Government against "lowering of guard" against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Rly functioning? Cops don't think so: The ongoing police investigations into Saturday's stampede that killed five and maimed 10 have found many gaping holes in the functioning of New Delhi railway station.

Kalyan to make statement before Liberhan panel: Kalyan Singh appeared before the panel on Wednesday, but sought time to prepare his statement. The commission posted the hearing for December 2 and 3.

Pawar opposes 'excessive' subsidies to farmers: Union Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar said he was against providing "excessive subsidies'' to those farmers who could afford to pay for the services. 

Hyderabad venue for Commonwealth meet: After being officially recognised a separate ‘region’ by the Commonwealth, India will host a three-day conference for the first time.

CPI furious over short Winter Session: Angry with the UPA Government for having convened a short Winter Session of Parliament, CPI leaders on Wednesday alleged that the Centre is displaying the "sinister tendency of Governments in power".

'Zahira was bribed to change statement': Yasmin Sheikh, the fourth eyewitness to depose in the Best Bakery case, today admitted that she had told a private television channel in Vadodara last year that her sister-in-law, Zahira Sheikh, had been bribed to change her statement.
 
States

Sir Chhotu Ram’s relics reach Wagah: A high-profile welcome was accorded to the relics of the champion of farmers, Sir Chhotu Ram, at the joint checkpost when Shahzad Ali Khan from Lahore handed them over to Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. 

Bihar doctors to attend to emergency cases: Striking doctors today decided to attend to emergency cases across the State following the release of the abducted doctor, Nagendra Prasad, in Maheshkut in Khagaria district earlier in the day. 

Huge haul of narcotics at rave party, Bangalore DJ arrested: A rave party organised by a disc jockey from Bangalore at the VGP Village resort in Nallur near Hosur was busted by the Narcotics Control Bureau, early on Wednesday morning.

SC notice to Centre on Raj TV's plea: The Supreme Court today issued a notice to the Centre following a petition filed by Raj TV, a Tamil channel, challenging the Union Government's order by which its licence was cancelled allegedly under the "influence" of Union Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran.

Neighbours

Donors interested in heavy investment in Kashmir: The international donor community has decided to invest heavily both in Kashmir following the gradual reduction in tension between India and Pakistan, a report from Islamabad said.

US consulate blast accused held: Pakistan law enforcement agencies arrested a Harkatul Mujahideen al Aalmi activist late on Wednesday for alleged involvement in the bombing of the US consulate in Karachi, a TV channel reported.

Washington stopover may prove beneficial: President Gen Pervez Musharraf is likely to make a 'technical stopover' in Washington for refuelling of his aircraft during his planned trip to three Latin American countries later this month.
 

View from abroad

Desi-style robots vs royal learning: It's a new debate. Should UK follow India's footsteps in educating its countrymen?

Badhwar wins French award for debut novel: Journalist-turned-author Inderjit Badhwar has won the prestigious French literary award Le Prix Litteraire for his debut novel ‘La Chambre Des Parfums’ (The Chamber of Perfumes).

Overall:

Seer said police were fabricating evidence: Sri Jayendra Saraswati said he wouldn't get justice if he were kept in police custody. 

Defence minister ruled out troops reduction in Siachen: He said the troops reduction in Kashmir would not extend to Siachen heights.

Investors interested in Kashmir: Foreign investors are keen on investing in Kashmir, now that India-Pakistan relations have thawed.