Sharat Pradhan And Sheela Bhatt

Stories by Sharat Pradhan And Sheela Bhatt

Lokayukta's appointment: Akhilesh Yadav ignores governor, CJ

Lokayukta's appointment: Akhilesh Yadav ignores governor, CJ

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2015

When the governor and chief justice objected to his choice, the UP chief minister just changed the law.

UP guv rejects Akhilesh's Lokayukta recommendation

UP guv rejects Akhilesh's Lokayukta recommendation

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2015

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav received a jolt on Tuesday when Governor Ram Naik finally rejected his recommendation for the appointment of the state's Lokayukta.

In UP, it's government versus governor over Lokayukta

In UP, it's government versus governor over Lokayukta

Rediff.com   24 Aug 2015

The stalemate over the appointment continues as UP CM Akhilesh Yadav recommends same name to Ram Naik for the fourth time in 20 days.

Why UP Congress leaders are upset with Kapil Sibal

Why UP Congress leaders are upset with Kapil Sibal

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2015

Uttar Pradesh Congress Legislature Party leader Pradeep Mathur has shot off a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi seeking her intervention. Sharat Pradhan reports from Lucknow

Four takeaways from Lok Sabha's Lalitgate debate

Four takeaways from Lok Sabha's Lalitgate debate

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2015

'One won't find a lawyer in any court in the country willing to believe that a talented lawyer like Bansuri Swaraj would appear in a case for free, that too in a metropolis like Delhi.' These and other Sheela Bhatt takeways from the August 12 proceedings in the Lok Sabha.

Exclusive! 'By 2012, we brought China boundary row to point of solution'

Exclusive! 'By 2012, we brought China boundary row to point of solution'

Rediff.com   10 Aug 2015

A sensational interview on India-China ties, with the man most qualified to answer.

'Terrorism is something you have to deal with. But that is a political call'

'Terrorism is something you have to deal with. But that is a political call'

Rediff.com   10 Aug 2015

'If you say I won't talk to them at all, does terrorism stop?' 'Even if they say they will give up terrorism, "I will fight terrorism along with you," but even then you say I still won't talk to you until you do the following things, then that is a political call.'

In response to Nitish, NDA to write open letter to Biharis

In response to Nitish, NDA to write open letter to Biharis

Rediff.com   5 Aug 2015

The letter, to be written by the NDA's Bihari leaders, will mention that Modi was not talking about 'Bihar's DNA' but he was pointing towards the 'political DNA' of Nitish Kumar. The letter will also ask a few uncomfortable questions to the Bihar chief minister. Sheela Bhatt reports.

It is important to know the truth in the Yakub Memon case

It is important to know the truth in the Yakub Memon case

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2015

'B Raman knew that Yakub Memon should not be given the capital punishment but at the same time he harboured too much anger against Dawood Ibrahim and 'Tiger' Memon, and wanted to see that they do not stand to gain in the legal process in any manner whatsoever.'

I can vouch for Raman's column on Yakub Memon: Brother

I can vouch for Raman's column on Yakub Memon: Brother

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2015

I well remember the article you have published because prior to sending it to you, he had shown it to me and I can vouch for its contents in the form in which you have published it. That was why I gave the permission to Rediff.com for publishing it,' says B S Raghavan, the distinguished retired IAS officer who himself handled intelligence matters for nine years.

How the BJP plans to strike back in 'washout' monsoon session

How the BJP plans to strike back in 'washout' monsoon session

Rediff.com   22 Jul 2015

The calculated playing up of confidence by Amit Shah and his team obviously means that the BJP has a strong counter-strategy in place to turn the tables on the Congress before the monsoon session is over, reports Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.

From Rediff Archives: The strange case of Yakub Memon

From Rediff Archives: The strange case of Yakub Memon

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2015

Back in 2007, Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt had profiled Yakub after he was sentenced to death by the Terrorist and Disruptive Actives (Prevention) Act court for criminal conspiracy and financing air tickets to send co-conspirators for arms and RDX training to Pakistan.

How a junior engineer in UP got a post tailor-made for himself

How a junior engineer in UP got a post tailor-made for himself

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2015

Suspended Noida engineer-in-chief Yadav Singh faces a CBI probe into alleged corruption on a PIL accusing him of amassing huge property disproportionate to his known sources of income.

HC orders CBI probe in Noida Chief engineer Yadav Singh graft case

HC orders CBI probe in Noida Chief engineer Yadav Singh graft case

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2015

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Thursday ordered a CBI probe against tainted Noida official Yadav Singh, whose disproportionate assets were exposed in a raid by the Income Tax department several months ago.

Pakistan has not even made a turn, leave alone a U-turn

Pakistan has not even made a turn, leave alone a U-turn

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2015

'India has to judge what Pakistan says to us, not what they say to a domestic audience,' a source tells Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com, explaining why India-Pakistan talks remain on track despite discordant noises from across the border.

From Rediff Archives: The strange case of Yakub Memon

From Rediff Archives: The strange case of Yakub Memon

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2015

Back in 2007, Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt had profiled Yakub after he was sentenced to death by the Terrorist and Disruptive Actives (Prevention) Act court for criminal conspiracy and financing air tickets to send co-conspirators for arms and RDX training to Pakistan.

Lalu-Mulayam-Mamata-Mayawati absence makes Sonia's iftar a political miss

Lalu-Mulayam-Mamata-Mayawati absence makes Sonia's iftar a political miss

Rediff.com   14 Jul 2015

Sonia Gandhi's iftar was meant to be a powerful show of unity of Opposition parties to take on the Modi Sarkar, but that was not to be...

Rape allegations a 'concocted' story, says Amitabh Thakur

"Rape allegations a 'concocted' story," says Amitabh Thakur

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2015

Senior IPS officer Amitabh Thakur, who has accused Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Sigh Yadav of threatening him with dire consequences, is suddenly at the receiving end, with the Lucknow police registering a case of "rape" against him.

IPS officer claims Mulayam threatened him, cops refuse to file FIR

IPS officer claims Mulayam threatened him, cops refuse to file FIR

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2015

Lucknow's Hazratganj police station on Saturday refused to register an FIR by IPS officer Amitabh Thakur, who was allegedly threatened by Samajwadi Party supremo and former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Mulayam threatens IPS officer crusading against 'corrupt' minister

Mulayam threatens IPS officer crusading against 'corrupt' minister

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2015

The IPS officer is currently posted as inspector general (civil defence).