Opinion 40 years ago, December 13, 1985: 258 die in US plane crash

A chartered DC-8 jetliner carrying US military personnel home from West Asia crashed and exploded near Gander airport in Canada, killing all 250 soldiers and eight crew aboard, officials said. The aircraft, operated by the Miami-based charter company Arrow Air, crashed moments after taking off after a refuelling stop and exploded on impact, according to airport officials and a spokesman at Search and Rescue Canada in Halifax.

G S Gill now a UK citizen

The British Government has granted citizenship to Gurmej Singh Gill, who is known as the prime minister of the London-based government of Khalistan, despite India’s advice against it, reports in London indicate. The Indian government had informed Britain that Gill was an extremist and should not be granted citizenship. British sources here say that Britain informed India in advance that Gill had registered himself for citizenship. India was informed about the development on December 5 and Gill was granted citizenship the following day.

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Massive tax evasion

The Fedders Lloyd Company, manufacturers of Fedders Lloyd air conditioners, Zenith refrigerators and other airconditioning and refrigeration equipment, has evaded excise duty to the tune of Rs 23 crore, according to a spokesman of Central Excise and Customs Collectorate.

Plea by Mehrasons Jewellers

The Delhi High Court issued notice to the Union of India and the collector, (gold) central excise collectorate, on a petition moved by Yashpal Mehra and three others of Mehrasons Jewellers, challenging the suspension of their licences under Section 50 of the Gold Control Act on December 6 this year. A division bench comprising Justice H L Anand and Justice Sunanda Bhandare directed that the notice be returned on December 17 when the case will come up for further preliminary hearing.