1. Sohrabuddin Sheikh Encounter: Verdict likely Today
A special CBI court in Mumbai is likely to pronounce the verdict in the sensational Sohrabuddin Sheikh-Tulsiram Prajapati alleged fake encounter case of 2005 in which 22 persons, most of them policemen, are on trial.
The case has attracted much attention as BJP chief Amit Shah, who was Minister of State for Home in Gujarat at the time of the incidents, was one of the accused before being discharged in 2014. During the trial, as many as 92 prosecution witnesses turned hostile.
Most of the accused are junior-level police officials from Gujarat and Rajasthan. The court earlier discharged, for want of evidence, 16 of the 38 persons charge-sheeted by the CBI. These included Amit Shah, the then Rajasthan Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria, former Gujarat Police chief PC Pande and former senior Gujarat police officer D G Vanzara.
(Source: The Times of India)
2. IPS Officer Rajnish Rai Suspended as CIAT Chittoor Principal
Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rajnish Rai has been suspended by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for allegedly ‘abdicating’ his office as the IG and Principal of CRPF training school at Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh.
Rai, who had arrested DG Vanzara and two other IPS officers in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh alleged fake encounter case in 2007, was serving as inspector general and principal of the Counter Insurgency and Anti-Terrorism (CIAT) School of the Central Reserve Police Force.
Rai had been placed under suspension for ‘unauthorised handing over the charge of IG and Principal, CIAT School, CRPF, Chittoor and abdication of office on November 30.’
Rai had earlier this year sought voluntary retirement with effect from November 30 after completing 50 years of age under the provisions of the All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement Benefit) Rules, 1958, but the Centre rejected his request in October.
(Source: PTI)
3. Bootlegger Throws Acid at Woman’s Face
A listed bootlegger and history sheeter Hira Nadiya (35) threw acid at a woman’s face in Amraiwadi area of Ahmedabad. The victim was a 26-year-old pregnant woman. Nadiya was later arrested from Mudarda Village in Mehsana district.
The victim who is Nadiya’s sister-in-law sustained minor injuries and is admitted at LG Hospital in the city. Around two months ago, differences cropped up between Nadiya and the victim’s sister-in-law and the couple separated.
Nadiya assumed that the victim and her family hid the whereabouts of his wife and he would frequently quarrel with them. On Thursday, 20 December, Nadiya came to the victim’s home at 8 am, while she was washing clothes and threw acid on her face and fled the spot.
(Source: The Times of India)
4. Non-Registration of FIR: HC Issues Notice to Gujarat Govt
The Gujarat High Court issued notices to the state government and Director General of Police (DGP) over a petition filed by a woman, after she sought the court’s direction to police to file a FIR against a woman police constable for duping her.
According to the petitioner, Nirmalakumari Rao, she had paid Rs 3 lakh to Anandiben Barot who is a constable at Dehgam police station, as the latter had promised the former success in Lok Rakshak Dal Exam last year.
However Rao failed the exam and when she demanded money from Barot, she became non responsive. Rao tried to file an FIR with Dehgam police but they refused. After running pillar to post with her complaint, Rao finally filed a petition in Gujarat High Court. Next hearing is scheduled for 29 December.
(Source: The Times of India)
5. AMC Notifies New Plastic Waste By-Laws
The Ahmedabad Municiapal Corporation has introduced new bylaws, which gives the civic body the power to levy a fine from Rs 100 to Rs 50,000 on users and manufacturers for using and manufacturing plastic smaller than 50 microns.
The new law also makes it mandatory for the manufacturer, trader and plastic recycler to register themselves with the government. The cost of registration will vary between Rs 1,000-Rs 10,000.
According to the AMC even plastic knives, forks and spoons made from recycled material or those meant for single use, but not meeting standards have been totally banned under the new law. AMC will also levy charges for plastic waste management under the rules on manufacturers.
(Source: The Times of India)
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