Briefly Nation

Suit against Hegde dismissed

BANGALORE: A city court on Monday dismissed a defamation suit filed by an IPS officer against Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde and 11 other newspaper publishers on the ground that it was not maintainable. Superintendent of Police M Hemanth Nimbalkar,who had been accused by Lokayukta of possessing assets disproportionate to his income,had filed the defamation suit.

Suicide by fan over football

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taunted over Argentinas second goal against Mexico in the FIFA World Cup match on Sunday night,a fan of the Brazilian team reportedly committed suicide in Keralas Wayanad district. Police identified him as Ranjith,26,a native of Meppadi village.

Rape bid: Orphanage staff held

PALAKKAD: Two employees of an orphanage-cum-counselling centre at Agali in this Kerala district have been charged with attempted rape and harassment of five girl inmates,following a complaint filed by them. The girls,all from Ernakulam district,had been staying at the Abhaya Kendram for the last two to three months to cure depression.

Foreigners detained for party

SHIMLA: The Kangra Police detained 17 persons in Dharamsala,13 of them foreign nationals,after they were found holding a full-moon rave party in nearby forests at 2 am on Monday. Only one of the persons,the organiser,was later arrested for possession of 5 grams of charas. The others were released later in the day.

Meghalaya teachers on leave

SHILLONG: Teachers of government primary schools in Meghalaya on Monday began five-day en masse casual leave,protesting against the non-payment of 40 per cent arrears as per the revised pay scale. The government has warned of disciplinary action against them.

Panchayat helps couple marry

SITAPUR: A village panchayat in the district set an example by helping a couple whose relationship was opposed by their parents get married before the whole village. Arti and Gajraj,both belonging to the same caste and residents of Kewalpur village,were in love for over two years.

Four boys injured in ragging

GUWAHATI: At least four students were injured in an incident of ragging by seniors at the hostel of a government school in upper Assams Sibsagar township on Sunday night. Police said the students were beaten up when some outgoing boarders entered the hostel premises drunk as the victims were watching the FIFA World Cup.

Alert train driver averts mishap

Nagpur: An alert driver of the Chennai-Chhapra Ganga Kaveri Express averted a major collision on the track at Bhugaon station near Wardha,official sources said Monday. On Sunday,when the Ganga Kaveri Express was approaching Chitoda station,its driver noticed derailment of empty coal wagons on the track at Bhugaon station. He immediately applied emergency brakes.

16 held with fake tiger,lion skin

Bhavnagar Gujarat: As many as 16 persons,including women from Karnataka have been arrested for selling fake elephants tusks,lion and tiger skin and nails of wild animals in the city outskirts,Forest officials said on Monday. Animal skin which appeared similar to that of tigers and lions were recovered from the gang who belong to Karnataka following a raid.

Constable held for Maoist link

Burdwan: A constable of the Howrah police was on Monday detained from Burdwan for allegedly supplying arms to Maoists. Constable Bimal Mishra was arrested from a lodge near Tinkonia bus stand in Burdwan,the police said. The constable was being interrogated.