UNHAPPY WITH LAKHIMPUR PROBE, SC WANTS IT MONITORED BY RETD HC JUDGE

Unhappy over the probe into the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in which eight persons, including four farmers, were killed, the Supreme Court on Monday said it wanted to appoint a retired judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to monitor it till the filing of the chargesheet in the case.

Asking senior advocate Harish Salve — representing the Uttar Pradesh Government — to seek instructions on the issue, a Bench led by Chief Justice NV Ramana posted the matter for November 12.

The top court, which had earlier asked the state government to provide protection to witnesses and wondered why there were only a few witnesses in the case where hundreds of farmers were present at the rally, posed several questions regarding the probe. “The prima facie view we get is that one particular accused is being benefited by recording statements of witnesses in a particular manner.... What will happen to the investigation then?” it wondered.

The Bench asked Salve if the Uttar Pradesh Government would agree to the appointment of Justice Singh or Justice Jain for monitoring the SIT probe into the killing of four farmers, death of a journalist and the lynching of three others.

Salve said he would seek instructions and come back on Friday.

The Bench said it was trying to infuse some “fairness, independence and faith in the investigations” into the case. The top court made it clear that both incidents —- mowing down of protesting farmers by a speeding SUV and the lynching of the accused allegedly by angry protesters — had to be taken to a logical conclusion.

8 NSAs TO ATTEND AFGHAN TALKS IN DELHI; CHINA TO STAY AWAY

After Pakistan, China has also decided to stay away from the “Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan” on Wednesday which will now see participation from eight NSAs, including host Ajit Doval.

“The Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan will witness an expanded participation of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan,” said a release from the Ministry of External Affairs .

The first two editions of the dialogue were hosted by Iran in 2018 and 2019, the MEA added. However, when compared to the recent conclaves in Tehran and Moscow, the dropping out of Pakistan and China stands out.

FISHERMAN’S DEATH: INDIA LODGES PROTEST WITH DIPLOMAT, 10 PAK SECURITY MEN BOOKED

The foreign office on Monday summoned a senior Pakistani diplomat and lodged a strong protest over the “unprovoked firing” at Indian fishermen by the Pakistani side even as an FIR was registered against 10 unidentified Pakistani security personnel over the incident.

The Pakistani coast guard, called the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), had fired upon Indian fishing boat ‘Jalpari’ on November 6, resulting in the death of an Indian fisherman and serious injury to another.

The Pakistani diplomat was told that the Indian government “condemned this deplorable action” of firing causing loss of life, which contravenes established international practices and bilateral understandings.

IS AGUSTA NO MORE CORRUPT? RAHUL ON BAN LIFT REPORTS

The Congress on Monday questioned the government move to lift the procurement ban on the parent company of Agusta Westland and asked how the firm, the BJP first earlier called corrupt, had suddenly found favours with the ruling dispensation.

“Agusta was corrupt at first, but stands clean after being washed up in the BJP laundry,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a jibe at the government, with the party reminding the BJP that PM Narendra Modi had called AgustaWestland corrupt in the past.

“Truth is that PM Modi and his government have lifted the procurement ban on Leonardo SpA, earlier known as Finmeccanica, the parent company of AgustaWestland,” Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said, asking what secret deal had the PM struck with Italy during his recent visit.

MIDDLEMAN GOT BRIBES FROM RAFALE-MAKERS IN 2007-12, SAYS REPORT

French news portal Mediapart has, in a fresh report, alleged pay-offs received by middleman Sushen Gupta from Dassault Aviation for influencing the sale of Rafale jets to India and published documents on Monday claiming them to be ‘bogus invoices’ raised by Gupta against the manufacturer of Rafale and that he received euros 7.5 million as kickbacks between 2007 and 2012.

While the report mentions the sale of 36 jets, as was done by the NDA government, the period under review coincides with the UPA’s term in office. The alleged pay-offs received by Gupta to ‘facilitate’ the Rafale deal during UPA rule has been corroborated by sources in the probe agencies.

There was no reaction yet on the latest report from the defence ministry or Dassault Aviation.

Mediapart It alleged that despite the existence of "these documents", the Indian probe agencies decided not to pursue the matter.

Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation and India's defence ministry have previously trashed allegations of any corruption in the contract.

The Supreme Court of India too in 2019 dismissed petitions seeking a probe into the deal saying there was no ground for it.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

PAK OFFICIALLY LIFTS BAN ON ISLAMIST GROUP BEHIND ANTI-FRANCE PROTEST

Following the release of more than 1,000 detainees of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), the Pakistan government issued a notification on Sunday night lifting the ban on the far-right party and paving the way for it to participate in electoral politics. Last week, the Imran Khan-led government had caved in to pressure from the group and had struck a secret deal with it. The group had announced it would march on Islamabad while calling for the closure of French the embassy in the Pakistani capital. The protest march on Islamabad, which started on October 22, was also meant to demand the release of the party’s leader, Saad Rizvi, who was arrested a year ago.

Recently, the government had freed detained TLP members as had been agreed in the agreement. On Sunday, the interior ministry had issued a notification to revoke the ban on the group, stating that the move was taken in the “larger national interest” amid assurances the party would not indulge in violent activities. It has also been confirmed by government officials and TLP members that the group’s in chief will be released soon.

The TLP was declared a proscribed party last year after it carried out violent rallies over the publication of caricatures of Prophet Muhammad in France. The issue had prompted the party to demand the expulsion of the French envoy in October 2020, when French President Emmanuel Macron tried to defend the publication of the cartoons as freedom of expression. Pakistan’s move to lift the ban on TLP drew criticism on social media.

A PTI report said that the TLP has ended its sit-in.

AFTER US BAN ISRAEL DISTANCES ITSELF FROM PEGASUS-MAKER NSO

Israel has distanced itself from the controversy triggered by the NSO Group after the US blacklisted the technology firm, which had developed the Pegasus spyware that was allegedly used to target government officials, activists and journalists globally, saying that it is a private company and it has nothing to do with the policies of the Israeli government.

"NSO is a private company, it is not a governmental project and therefore even if it is designated, it has nothing to do with the policies of the Israeli government," Israel's Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman at the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday evening.

"I don't think there is another country in the world which has such strict rules according to cyber warfare and that is imposing those rules more than Israel and we will continue to do so," Lapid stressed.

The Israeli Foreign Minister's remarks came after the US on Wednesday sanctioned the Herzliya-based company over alleged misuse of its phone-hacking spyware in countries across the world, including in India.

THE REST

=========

CHENNAI CONTINUES TO GRAPPLE WITH FLOODING

Surplus rain water gushed out of reservoirs while several roads in Chennai resembled swollen rivers and four persons were killed in rain related incidents in Tamil Nadu and over 60 houses suffered damage, authorities in Chennai said on Monday.

The Poondi, Cholavaram, Puzhal, Chembarmbakkam and Thervai Kandigai reservoirs in the state capital and Veeranam lake, about 230 kilometres from Chennai released surplus water, which was cumulatively a little over 10,000 cusecs of water, as showers continued in catchment areas.

Vellore district authorities said the discharge from Ponnai Anaicut was increased to about 6,364 cusecs by evening. In view of release of surplus water from reservoirs, an alert was sounded to people in their respective regions.

In Chennai, most roads and bylanes were covered under sheets of water while there was water upto two feet in low lying localities. Power supply has also been disconnected for several neighbourhoods considering safety.

JAITLEY, SWARAJ AWARDED PADMA VIBHUSHAN POSTHUMOUSLY

Former Union Ministers Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and George Fernandes were conferred with the Padma Vibhushan award posthumously. Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe and Narinder Singh Kapany (father of fiber optics) were also conferred with Padma Vibhushan

Assam ex-CM Tarun Gogoi,  former minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Ex-Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar (posthumous), Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra were given Padma Bhushan.

In all, the award have been conferred thus:

Padma Vibhushan: 7

Padma Bhushan: 16

Padma Shri: 122

Tweeting with the hashtag ‘PeoplesPadma’, PM Modi said: “I felt extremely happy to see grassroots level achievers being recognised for their exemplary efforts to further public good…From environment to enterprise, agriculture to the arts, science to social service, public administration to cinema…recipients of the #PeoplesPadma come from diverse backgrounds. I would urge you all to know about each of the awardees and get inspired”.

IN KAIRANA YOGI INVOKES HINDU EXODUS, WARNS OF 'TALIBAN MINDSET'

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday invoked the "exodus" of Hindus from Kairana a few years back, telling people in the western Uttar Pradesh town that those who shoot at traders now will be dispatched to the "next world".

Addressing a public meeting in Kairana, he slammed the "Taliban mentality", saying it will not be accepted in the state.

He also attacked the opposition, saying they did not act when houses of Hindus were being burnt and innocent youths killed in Muzaffarnagar, referring to the communal riots there in 2013.

The alleged exodus from Kairana was a big issue in the 2017 Assembly elections as the BJP claimed then that scores of Hindu families had left the town after receiving threats from criminals.

Ahead of next year's Assembly elections in the state, Adityanath visited the town and promised compensation to some families who were allegedly forced to leave it between 2014 and 2016.

Adityanath said Muzaffarnagar riots and the "exodus" of people from Kairana are not election issues for the BJP. These are issues of our identity, honour and glory, the CM said. "The criminals who had forced the traders and residents of Kairana to flee had in the past four-and-half-years been forced to flee themselves," the CM claimed.

"No criminal has the courage to walk with his head held high. And if a criminal dares to shoot a trader or a citizen, then the bullet will hit him and will send him next world ('doosre lok')," Adityanath said.

Promising exemplary punishment to criminals, the CM said nobody will be allowed to spread anarchy, incite riots and play with the honour of women. "It (Taliban) makes the life of sisters and daughters hellish, violates the fundamental rights of citizens. This will not be accepted at all in UP," the CM said.

CRPF JAWAN SHOOTS DEAD FOUR COLLEAGUES IN CHHATTISGARH

Four CRPF jawans were killed and three injured after their colleague opened fire at them in a camp of the paramilitary force in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Monday, a police official said.

The incident took place around 3.15 am in the CRPF’s 50th battalion camp at Linganpalli village, around 400 km from state capital Raipur. Constable Reetesh Ranjan reportedly fired at his colleagues with his service weapon (AK-47 rifle) while they were asleep.

Seven injured jawans were taken to a nearby hospital in neighbouring Telangana, where doctors declared four of them “dead on arrival”.

Constable Ranjan was held and his interrogation is underway. Sukma SP Sunil Sharma said, “Around 40-45 jawans were sleeping inside the barrack. After all bullets in his rifle got exhausted, Ranjan was overpowered by some of his colleagues.”

DESPITE TENSION, INDIA-CHINA TRADE CROSSES $100 BN

Despite a military standoff, India-China trade crossed the $100-billion mark in October this year, according to the data released by China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Sunday.

Registering an increase of 22.2 per cent as compared with the same period last year, the GAC data showed overall trade volume between India and China was $102.29 billion, with the balance of trade heavily tilted in favour of Beijing.

China’s exports to India stood at $78.33 billion, while India exported goods worth $23.96 billion to China.

India has been seeking access for its pharmaceutical products and there was some good news last month when China permitted first anti-cancer drug from India. Indian pharma companies have waited for three years for the actual entry. In 2018, the runaway success of the Chinese movie “Dying to Survive”, highlighting the need to import affordable anti-cancer drugs from India, prompted Beijing to announce the entry of 28 Indian drugs, but there was no action till last month.

UPHAAR: ANSALS GET 7-YEAR JAIL FOR PROOF-TAMPERING

Twenty four years after 59 persons lost their lives in a fire tragedy at Uphaar Cinema in the national capital, a Delhi court on Monday sentenced its owners Ansal brothers — Sushil and Gopal — and three other accused to seven years’ imprisonment for tampering with evidence in the case.

“A too lenient sentence will be akin to closing the eyes to the agony and anguish of the victim and the public at large. Collective cry of the society must be responded by way of appropriate punishment to prevent re-occurrence of such crimes,” said Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Pankaj Sharma, who also imposed a fine of Rs 2.25 crore each on the Ansal brothers.

The three others sentenced to seven-year imprisonment were former court staff Dinesh Chand Sharma and private individuals PP Batra and Anoop Singh Karayat. They were fined Rs 3 lakh each.

The court ordered that all the convicts be immediately taken into custody and sent to jail to serve the sentence.

Noting that no amount of compensation could alleviate the agony, trauma and the pain suffered by the victims’ families, the CMM ordered that the amount collected from the convicts be paid as compensation to the victims’ families as it “can provide some succour to them”.

The Supreme Court had in 2015 held Ansal brothers guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced to the period already served and fined Rs 30 crore each. Later, it reviewed its decision and sent Gopal back to jail for a year. But Sushil was spared due to his old age. Two other accused—Har Swaroop Panwar and Dharamvir Malhotra—died during the protracted trial.

MODEL BUILDER-BUYER AGREEMENT: IMPORTANT MATTER IN PUBLIC INTEREST SAYS SC, SEEKS CENTRE'S REPLY

The Supreme Court on Monday said a model builder-buyer agreement is needed in the real estate sector and the Centre should file its reply on the issue as it is an "important matter in the public interest".

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna asked Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj to seek instruction and file the reply by November 22.

“It is an important matter and not an adversarial issue. This is an important matter in the public interest. Government has the power to make a model builder-buyer agreement under RERA. Please look into it and file your reply by November 22. A group of home buyers has come to this court seeking such model agreement,” the bench told Nataraj.

PAYTM IPO HAS SLOW START ON DAY 1

The IPO of digital payments company Paytm opened to a slow start on Monday, the first day of the three-day window. The IPO was subscribed only 18 per cent.

Share allotment is likely to take place on November 15, and the shares are expected to be listed on November 18.

The Paytm IPO has received a mixed response from analysts, with some calling it a good bet to ride India's fintech wave and others pointing at expensive pricing.

INDIA SIGN OFF ON A HIGH WITH NAMIBIA THRASHING

India ended their T20 World Cup campaign with a thumping nine-wicket victory over Namibia in the concluding Super 12s match of the tournament, in Dubai, on Monday.

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin did much of the damage with the ball after Virat Kohli won the toss in his final match as T20I captain, the pair taking three wickets each to restrict Namibia to 132 for 8.

In reply, half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and K L Rahul saw India attain the target with 28 balls to spare, giving departing head coach Ravi Shastri and Kohli, who had stepped down as T20 International captain earlier, a winning send-off.

Both teams were out of the reckoning for semi-final berths, with Pakistan, England, New Zealand and Australia already confirmed as the tournament’s final four.

Group 2, Points Tally (Matches Won / Matches Played / NRR): PAKISTAN 5/5/+1.583; NEW ZEALAND 4/5/+1.162; INDIA 3/5/+1.747; AFGHANISTAN 2/5/+1.053; NAMIBIA 1/5/-1.890; SCOTLAND 0/5/-3.543

INDICATORS

Sensex 60,546 (+478), Nifty 18,069 (+152), Trading Value NSE (Rs.crores) 70,955

Nasdaq 15,982 (+11) Dow 36,432 (+104), S&P 4,702 (+4)

US$-Rs. 74.07 GBP-Rs. 100.00, Euro-Rs. 85.61, UAE Dhm-Rs.20.13, Can$-Rs. 59.41, Aus$- Rs. 54.81

GBP 0.73 /US$, Euro 0.86 /US$, Jap.Yen 113.39 /US$, Aus$ 1.35 /US$, Sing 1.34 /US$, Bang Taka 84.11 /US$, Can$ 1.24 /US$, Mal Ring 4.15 /US$,

Pak Re 169.63 /US$, Phil Peso 50.24 /US$, Russian Rouble 71.27 /US$, NZ$ 1.39 /US$, Thai Baht 32.97 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 25.85 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 67,611

Dollar Index 94.03, Brent Crude 83.43, BDI 2,715.00

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,824 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 4,803 / 4,703, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 69,100

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

This communicating of a man's self to his friend works two contrary effects; for it redoubleth joy, and cutteth griefs in half. - Francis Bacon

OFF TRACK

These are supposedly real headlines from various newspapers.

March Planned For Next August

Lingerie Shipment Hijacked -- Thief Gives Police The Slip

Patient At Death's Door -- Doctors Pull Him Through

Diaper Market Bottoms Out

Stadium Air Conditioning Fails -- Fans Protest

Lawyers Give Poor Free Legal Advice