Newsreel 03.10.04

8226; After days of drama, the verdict was finally out. Ranbir Singh Mahendra, former Haryana CM Bansi Lal8217;s son and one of Jagmohan Dalmiya8217;s five vice-presidents, edged out Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to win the BCCI presidency.

8226; Two years after an investigation by The Indian Express showed how relatives and friends of the then ruling BJP and its allies had cornered most of the dealerships for petrol pumps, LPG and kerosene outlets across the country, a two-judge committee concluded that about 70 per cent of the allotments were irregular and should be cancelled.

8226; Mulk Raj Anand, one of the most prominent Indian writers in English, whose works include Untouchable and Coolie, died in Pune. He was 99 years old.

8226; The Australian cricketers landed with hopes of finally winning a Test series in India. The odds of that happening seemed high as the Indian batsmen were still finding their feet in the pre-tour game. The only bright spot: Sachin Tendulkar informed that he might play the first Test.