1. Delhi Chief Secy Alleges Assault By AAP MLAs
Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash has alleged that he was assaulted by two AAP leaders at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence on the evening of 19 February. The Aam Aadmi Party and the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) have refuted the allegations, calling them "bizarre" and have asked for an “independent” probe.
According to News18, Prakash alleged that he was assaulted by Ajay Dutt and Prakash Jharwal. However, Firstpost reports that Prakash named Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan as one of the accused in a complaint filed with Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has taken cognisance of the incident and sought a report. In a tweet, Singh condemned the “assault” and said bureaucrats must be allowed to work without intimidation.
Meanwhile political mudslinging has already begun with BJP and Congress demanding that Kejriwal resigns from the post of Delhi Chief Minister.
(Read full story here)
2. Nirav Modi Pens Letter to PNB, Lawyer says The Case Will Collapse
Throwing up his hands, beleaguered businessman Nirav Modi, the alleged kingpin of the largest banking scam in India’s history, has supposedly said PNB's ‘over-zealousness' shut the doors on his ability to clear the dues.
He also said that the dues were much less than what the bank has claimed, and that his relatives booked in the cases filed by the central agencies had nothing to do with the operations of the firms under their scanner.
Speaking to ANI, Nirav Modi’s lawyer Vijay Aggarwal said, “Like the 2G scam and Bofors matter this case will also collapse. Agencies are making noises in the media, but they will not be able to prove the charges in a court of law. I am sure Nirav Modi will not be found guilty.”
(Get live updates of the scam here)
3. Canada Supports a United India: Justin Trudeau
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, who is on a week long visit to India with his family, said that his government “equivocally” believed in and supported the policy of a united India. This statement is being seen as response to India's criticism against the Trudeau government for courting Khalistani elements.
Trudeau, who is currently in Mumbai, met Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra and Tata Group Chairman N Chandrashekaran. After a lot of guessing game of will they, won't they, Trudeau is scheduled to meet Punjab CM Amarinder Singh tomorrow. A meeting with PM Modi is scheduled for 23 February.
(Get live updates of Trudeau’s visit here)
4. Donald Trump Jr in India to Promote Sale of Luxury Apartments
The eldest son of US President Donald Trump arrived in India on 20 February, to help sell luxury apartments and lavish attention on wealthy Indians who have already bought units in Trump-branded developments.
Donald Trump Jr posed for photos with Indian developers who are building complexes in four cities.
(Read full story here)
5. Divided by Caste, United by Love
Shilpa and Ravi, a young couple from Gujarat, got married in December 2015 against the wishes of their families. Ravi, who belongs to a so-called “lower caste”, has been facing death threats ever since the couple eloped to get married.
Narrating their ordeal to The Quint, the couple reveals how they have been relocating constantly for the past 25 months in order to hide from their families.
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