Briefly Nation

HC allows Tahiliani I-T exemption

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Monday upheld fashion designer Tarun Tahilianis contention that he was an artist and hence entitled to exemption under the Income Tax Act. Tahiliani had sought tax exemption under section 80 RR of the Act on the Rs 80 lakh he earned from foreign customers in 2000. Section 80 RR exempts musicians,playwrights,authors,artists,sportsmen and actors from paying tax on 75 per cent of the total income earned from foreign countries.

Manipur goes without newspapers

IMPHAL: No newspapers were published in Manipur Monday after a militant outfit threatened publishing houses not to bring them out. It was not known why the militant outfit had issued the threat. The All Manipur Working Journalists Union has convened an emergency meeting to discuss the issue.

16 of wedding party killed in accident

VADODARA: At least 16 persons were killed Monday when an over-speeding bus carrying about 60,including 21 children,of a marriage party overturned near Malwasinh village in Gujarats Dahod,police said. Some 40 persons were injured in the accident. There are five children whose bodies we have recovered from the debris so far. The death toll may cross 20, said a police officer.

Minors charged with rape of six-year-old

RAJKOT: Wife of a Rajkot-based doctor has accused her sister-in-law of abetting her two minor sons in raping her the complainant8217;s six-year-old daughter,police said Monday. She alleged that the wife of her husband8217;s brother directed her two sons 8212; one 11- year-old and the other six-year-old 8212; to rape her minor daughter when the girl was staying with them during vacations,police said. Medical examination has confirmed rape,investigating officer M D Jadeja said.

I am not Arjun Singhs official spokesman,says son

Bhopal: Ajay Singh,son of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Arjun Singh,on Monday said that he would not like to comment on his fathers silence over the Bhopal gas tragedy as he was not his official spokesperson. It is for my father to decide when and what to say and I have nothing to do with it, Ajay told PTI. The Congress legislator said it was his duty to stand by his father in these trying times and he was performing it to the best of his ability.I am Arjun Singhs son and I greatly admire and respect my father, Ajay said.

Now Pilot says Centre had no role,Arjun acted as was needed

AJMER: Union Minister Sachin Pilot on Monday asserted that there was no interference of the Central government in facilitating release of the then Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson after the Bhopal gas tragedy. The Central government did not interfere in the matter of Warren Anderson, he told reporters here,adding that the decision to allow Anderson to leave Bhopal was taken by the then Madhya Pradesh chief minister Arjun Singh. Pilot said as per the situation at that time,Singh had taken the right decision.

NGO demands FIR against those who let Anderson go

BHOPAL: Indian Rejuvenation Initiative IRI has demanded that the Madhya Pradesh government should file an FIR against persons who allowed Warren Anderson to leave the country without producing him in a court of law. The non-political organisation that uses legal means to bring about probity in public life said the case highlights how the country has failed to bring to book those who are powerful. The organisation said the then CM Arjun Singh,then chief secretary,then district collector and the SP of Bhopal appear to be prima facie accomplices in the crime.