News for 'independent witnesses'

Canterbury Archbishop apologises for Jallianwala massacre

Canterbury Archbishop apologises for Jallianwala massacre

Rediff.com10 Sep 2019

'It is deeply humbling and provokes feelings of profound shame to visit this place that witnessed such atrocities hundred years ago'

Sebi starts probe against Infosys, BSE too has questions

Sebi starts probe against Infosys, BSE too has questions

Rediff.com23 Oct 2019

Leading exchange BSE on Wednesday asked Infosys to explain why it did not make a disclosure about a whistleblower complaint which alleged that the company's top executives were following "unethical practices" to shore up profits through irregular accounting ways.

Stalin Needs to Think Fast, Act Faster

Stalin Needs to Think Fast, Act Faster

Rediff.com4 Sep 2021

Good intentions and elaborate roadmaps apart, there is an urgent need for the Tamil Nadu chief minister to come up with branded schemes like MGR's meal scheme, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.

Sheena Bora Trial: Will Peter's nightmare end?

Sheena Bora Trial: Will Peter's nightmare end?

Rediff.com12 Mar 2019

'I am an old man. 64 years... Never used influence.' 'I am not a politician or a criminal. What influence?' 'Retired. I could not protect myself even (from fabricated charges)?' 'Have no money now either.' 'I don't want to die in custody in disrepute.'

For 13 months, this student was imprisoned under UAPA

For 13 months, this student was imprisoned under UAPA

Rediff.com24 Jun 2021

'There are many people languishing in jail under these draconian laws, where it takes them 10 years, 15 years, to finally be acquitted.' 'And, who is going to account for those years?' 'The home ministry's statistics says that between 2016 and 2019, the conviction rate (under UAPA) is only 2 per cent and the use of UAPA has increased by more than 70 per cent.' 'There are many people languishing in jail under these draconian laws, where it takes them 10 years, 15 years, to finally be acquitted.'
'Who is going to account for those years?'
'The home ministry's statistics says that between 2016 and 2019, the conviction rate (under UAPA) is only 2 per cent and the use of UAPA has increased by more than 70 per cent.' 'The government statistics itself is so revealing what the purpose of this law (UAPA) is.'

Can TN's Water Woes Ever End?

Can TN's Water Woes Ever End?

Rediff.com1 Dec 2021

For the current woes of the state to end, in city after city, town after town, village after village, unauthorised constructions have to be removed, no questions asked, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Bengal, Assam set for first phase polling

Bengal, Assam set for first phase polling

Rediff.com26 Mar 2021

Over 1.54 crore voters in the eastern states of West Bengal and Assam will exercise their franchise in the 1st phase of polling

Karnataka 2018: Strongest Opposition vs weakest leading party

Karnataka 2018: Strongest Opposition vs weakest leading party

Rediff.com22 May 2018

With 103 members belonging to the BJP, the Karnataka assembly will witness a balance it has never seen.

The General marching into Battleground Bengal

The General marching into Battleground Bengal

Rediff.com24 Mar 2021

After spending 40 years in the Indian Army, Lieutenant General Subrata Saha marches into the electoral battlefield as the BJP candidate from Rashbehari.

Arnab to stay in jail as HC reserves his bail order

Arnab to stay in jail as HC reserves his bail order

Rediff.com7 Nov 2020

A division bench of Justices S S Shinde and M S Karnik said they will pass the order at the earliest, without giving any date.

Rs 100 cr immediate central relief to Kerala announced

Rs 100 cr immediate central relief to Kerala announced

Rediff.com12 Aug 2018

The minister, who made an aerial survey of badly affected areas in Idukki and Ernakulam districts, said the rains and floods had caused 'massive damage' to the farm sector and infrastructure like roads and power.

UP creates special force to arrest without warrant

UP creates special force to arrest without warrant

Rediff.com15 Sep 2020

The move prompted a strong reaction from the Congress, with its state unit chief Ajay Kumar Lallu equating it with the 1919 Rowlatt Act or Black Act and saying that the party will explore legal options to challenge it.

CBI officers face probe for letting off Bhushan Steel MD

CBI officers face probe for letting off Bhushan Steel MD

Rediff.com6 Aug 2014

The officers did not arrest Neeraj Singhal despite CBI Director Ranjit Sinha's orders.

As BJP rings in new entrants, old guard feels left out

As BJP rings in new entrants, old guard feels left out

Rediff.com4 Mar 2021

The saffron party, which had witnessed unprecedented growth in terms of vote share and mass base over the last few years, had opened its doors wide for leaders from other parties as part of its poll strategy, but that did not go down well with many senior leaders, who had once locked horns with the newbies from rival camps, sources in the BJP said.

The fault-lines in Bengal's electoral battleground

The fault-lines in Bengal's electoral battleground

Rediff.com20 Apr 2021

Jayanta Roy Chowdhury reports on how the West Bengal elections are being fought by the BJP and Trinalool Congress amid COVID challenges, 'Bangaliana', and campaigns based on religion, region, and caste.

Pak PM blames India in I-Day address for impasse in ties

Pak PM blames India in I-Day address for impasse in ties

Rediff.com14 Aug 2017

"Our government has invariably made efforts to initiate the process of meaningful dialogue and adoption of peaceful means to resolve the issues but unfortunately the expansionist designs of India have remained the main hurdle in this regard," Abbasi said.

When Bollywood took flight

When Bollywood took flight

Rediff.com14 Apr 2021

Like there's no dearth of memorable bus scenes and train imagery in Hindi movies, planes are equally prolific on silver screen.

'It's a great time for India's movie business'

'It's a great time for India's movie business'

Rediff.com24 Jun 2021

'There is a lot of money coming into the business, people are consuming a lot of content, there is no dearth of new films and shows coming out of India and being available worldwide.'

Leaking military secrets is treason: Cong on 'ArnabGate'

Leaking military secrets is treason: Cong on 'ArnabGate'

Rediff.com20 Jan 2021

Leaking of official secrets of military operations is treason and those involved in it must be punished, the Congress said on Wednesday on the purported WhatsApp chats of Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and demanded that the prime minister must come clean.

Why gangsters like Vikas Dubey become formidable

Why gangsters like Vikas Dubey become formidable

Rediff.com17 Jul 2020

'Not unlike politicians who gravitate towards whoever is in power, mafia dons too have a great survival streak, switching loyalty to the party in power,' observes Virendra Kapoor a week after gangster Vikas Dubey was slain in an alleged encounter.

'China has been active in Nepal for a decade'

'China has been active in Nepal for a decade'

Rediff.com31 Dec 2020

'Keeping its financial interests in mind, China wants no enmity with the Nepalese government.'

This young candidate sells milk for a living

This young candidate sells milk for a living

Rediff.com30 Mar 2021

'Every day, when I deliver milk, I talk to the families and find out what is happening in their lives.' 'That is how you get to know the real issues and find solutions.'

BJP's Pramod Sawant takes oath as Goa CM at 2 am

BJP's Pramod Sawant takes oath as Goa CM at 2 am

Rediff.com19 Mar 2019

As per the power-sharing arrangement, Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA Sudin Dhavalikar will be the deputy chief ministers.

Mehbooba writes to Modi seeking opening of Shardapeeth pilgrimage site

Mehbooba writes to Modi seeking opening of Shardapeeth pilgrimage site

Rediff.com1 Dec 2018

The former J-K CM said Shardapeeth in Pak-administered Kashmir is an outstanding relic of Kashmir's glowing history.

Vinod Rai: 'No one better than Ganguly to lead BCCI'

Vinod Rai: 'No one better than Ganguly to lead BCCI'

Rediff.com23 Oct 2019

Having cut off the "umbilical cord" that tied him to the Board, the former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) spoke to PTI on a range of issues from "giving a free hand" to the Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri duo, Anil Kumble's exit as national coach, his frosty relationship with colleague Diana Edulji, sexual harassment allegations against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and difficulties in implementing the Supreme Court-mandated Lodha recommendations.

Whistleblower's complaints against Infosys co-founders appalling: Nilekani

Whistleblower's complaints against Infosys co-founders appalling: Nilekani

Rediff.com6 Nov 2019

Nandan Nilekani said the co-founders have served the company "selflessly" and remain committed to the long-term success of Infosys.

UAPA, sedition charges invoked in FIR on R-Day violence

UAPA, sedition charges invoked in FIR on R-Day violence

Rediff.com29 Jan 2021

The Delhi police's Special Cell has lodged an FIR under sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and sections of the IPC dealing with sedition to investigate the violence at Red Fort in Delhi on January 26.

Pak serial killer who raped, murdered 7-year-old girl sentenced to death

Pak serial killer who raped, murdered 7-year-old girl sentenced to death

Rediff.com17 Feb 2018

ATC judge Sajjad Hussain handed down the death sentence to 23-year-old Imran Ali on four grounds -- murdering a child, kidnapping a child, rape of a minor, and committing an unnatural act with a minor.

How Tibet was brutally 'liberated'

How Tibet was brutally 'liberated'

Rediff.com19 Oct 2020

India was fooled into believing that Communist China wanted a 'negotiated' settlement with the Tibetans; it was never the case, says Claude Arpi.

Oppn alleges leak of budget proposals to media ahead of presentation

Oppn alleges leak of budget proposals to media ahead of presentation

Rediff.com1 Feb 2019

Some members held placards of news reports about unemployment figures.

JNU student leader Umar Khalid shot at near Parliament, escapes unhurt

JNU student leader Umar Khalid shot at near Parliament, escapes unhurt

Rediff.com13 Aug 2018

The JNU student leader said, "There is an atmosphere of fear in the country and anybody who speaks against the government is threatened."

What was Pak army chief doing in Iran?

What was Pak army chief doing in Iran?

Rediff.com21 Nov 2019

'Tehran senses that the Modi government is inexorably gravitating toward the US-Israeli-Saudi axis, jettisoning India's traditional independent Gulf policies,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Hand over probe to CBI: Kathua accused tells SC

Hand over probe to CBI: Kathua accused tells SC

Rediff.com4 May 2018

Sanji Ram and Vishal Jangotra, who were chargesheeted by the crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police in the case, claimed that the police had miserably failed to conduct a "fair and effective" probe and alleged that "tainted" officers were part of special investigation team which probed the matter.

Sleaze and smear mark poll campaign in Udupi

Sleaze and smear mark poll campaign in Udupi

Rediff.com1 May 2013

Udupi in Karnataka has witnessed a close electoral fight between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress in the last few years, with the former winning the seat in the last three polls. But the BJP was forced to deny a ticket to Raghupathy Bhat after a CD showing the sitting Member of Legislative Assembly in an alleged compromising position was revealed.

Subplot in fight for Parsa: Tej's troubled marriage

Subplot in fight for Parsa: Tej's troubled marriage

Rediff.com1 Nov 2020

The marital dispute between Prasad's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav and Aishwarya Rai, a daughter of Chandrika Roy, has its shadow in the poll battle on this seat which votes on November 3.

Containment ops to end if no secondary Covid-19 case for 28 days

Containment ops to end if no secondary Covid-19 case for 28 days

Rediff.com17 Apr 2020

Containment operations will be scaled down if no secondary positive case of Covid-19 is reported from a quarantine zone for at least four weeks after the last confirmed test has been isolated and all his contacts have been followed up for 28 days, the Union health ministry has said. According to the ministry's 'Updated containment plan for large outbreaks Covid-19', a containment operation (large outbreak or cluster) is deemed to be over 28 days from the date the last case in that zone tests negative.

Naga peace process: What next?

Naga peace process: What next?

Rediff.com30 Oct 2019

'NSCN-IM leader Muivah warns that the NSCN-IM has come very close to an honourable solution to the peace process with the Government of India, but if it does not materialise, then the Nagas will go away so far that it would be difficult to bring them back to the negotiating table easily,' note Sandeep Pandey and Meera Sanghamitra.

Jaswant Singh, an upright politician and Vajpayee's Hanuman

Jaswant Singh, an upright politician and Vajpayee's Hanuman

Rediff.com27 Sep 2020

During Vajpayee's tenure, he was there as an indispensable insider, witness to every action that had an impact on history: Pokhran-II (nuclear tests in 1998), the 1999 Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan, the Indo-Pak Agra Summit in 2001, intense engagement with the United States on nuclear issues besides the Kandahar hijack.

Can Modinomics derail Nitish?

Can Modinomics derail Nitish?

Rediff.com2 Nov 2020

An interplay of Modi government's outreach in Bihar and the sequence of events in Chirag Paswan's life could make Bihar a game of musical chairs when the results are out.

'Aamir stood beside me through the journey'

'Aamir stood beside me through the journey'

Rediff.com25 Aug 2021

'It was one of the greatest learnings in my life to see someone like the great Amitabh Bachchan go through such a tough phase.' 'He had been there, done it all and really didn't need to prove himself.' 'Yet, he channelised it all and came out with one of his best performances,' Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra tells Savera R Someshwar/Rediff.com in a fascinating conversation about the films he has made and the actors he has worked with.