Briefly Nation

MCOCA in firing case outside Dawood kin home

MUMBAI: Crime Branch of Mumbai Police on Wednesday invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act MCOCA in the case of firing outside the residence of fugitive Dawood Ibrahims brother Iqbal Kaskar,in which the latters bodyguard-cum-driver was killed. MCOCA provisions have been applied on seven arrested accused,and absconding gangster Chhota Rajan,Joint Commissioner of Police,Himanshu Roy said.

Varun case: Cong mans plea rejected

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition filed by V M Singh,the rival Congress candidate from Pilibhit,challenging the election of BJP leader Varun Gandhi as Pilibhit MP on the grounds that he divided the two communities and votes by giving inflammatory speeches. Terming the petition dead,the court rejected it mainly on the ground that the allegations made were not supported by facts and relevant documents.

Is there proof to nail Hasan,SC asks govt

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday wondered whether the Centre had enough evidence to nail Pune-based businessman Hasan Ali Khan,who faces the charge of money laundering. The Bench said the accused may be charged for other offences under the I-T Act and the Passport Act but said there was nothing in the records to prove that his money was part of any money laundering activity.

Now,Gauhati HC stays execution

GUWAHATI: A death row convict,Mahendra Nath Das,got some reprieve on Wednesday when the Gauhati High Court stayed his execution till November. In his petition,Das contended that there was a 12-year delay in disposal of his clemency plea from the President,which was in violation of Article 21 of the Constitution Protection of life and personal liberty. Das had filed a mercy petition before the President in June 1999.

Maureen Wadia fined Rs 5.3 lakh

MUMBAI: Maureen Wadia,editor of Gladrags magazine and wife of industrialist Nusli Wadia,was on Wednesday made to pay duty of Rs 5.3 lakh by the Airport Customs at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. She had failed to pay duty on goods worth Rs 50 lakh purchased in London,explained officials.

Sonar systems found off Puri coast

BHUBANESWAR: Four underwater sonar systems of Indian Navy manufactured by Thales,the defence electronic systems maker,were recovered off Puri coast on Wednesday. The four systems were found by the local fishermen in Puri. Early in the day there was apprehension among local people who thought it to be some kind of explosive device.

DGPs and intel chiefs conference today

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NEW DELHI: Terrorism,left-wing extremism and cyber crime will be the major topics for discussion during the conference of state DGPs and Intelligence chiefs beginning on Thursday. Home Minister P Chidambaram will open the meet,which will be attended by the PM.

UP: Protests after road mishap,1 killed

Lucknow: One person was killed when the police opened fire to control a mob that went on the rampage after a speeding truck ran over six children,killing four of them,at Gursahaiganj in Kannauj on Wednesday morning.