Busy Tendulkar juggles time between coaching son and business

Sachin Tendulkar is currently focussing on training son Arjun and a new business venture. (TOI Photo)

LONDON: A new business venture and imparting batting tips to son Arjun are the two things that Sachin Tendulkar is currently focussing on before he starts concentrating on the upcoming England series.

The iconic batsman has been regularly visiting the MCC cricket academy to coach his 11-year-old son, Arjun - and passing on tips to other people using the indoor nets.

An honorary life member of the club, Tendulkar, who has been staying at a property he owns near the Lord's, has been visiting the academy for the past few days.

"He (Tendulkar) has been a regular visitor at the Lord's in recent weeks," an MCC spokesman was quoted as saying.

And when he is not coaching little Arjun, he is devoting time in his new business venture in Winchester.

It's about cricket-themed entertainment centres where you will be able to bat against an image of Tendulkar (or other, better international bowlers) that runs in and delivers a semi-hard ball at you; or bowl against an image of him that deals with your delivery after calculating the trajectory and rotations of the delivery.

Tendulkar was accompanied by his children Arjun and Sara. Last week Tendulkar who was watching matches at the Wimbledon interacted with the legendary Roger Federer.

Though he has not had a single net session, Tendulkar will start training from this week for India's four-match Test series against England. In London, Tendulkar has been able to relax, with far fewer bodyguards than normal, the report said.

The champion batsman will be aiming for his 100th international century when India take on England at the Lord's Test, the 100th between the teams, and the 2000th in the history of the game.

Dey murder case: Key suspect arrested by Mumbai police

Dey murder case: Key suspect arrested by Mumbai police

MUMBAI: The Mumbai police on Sunday arrested a key suspect, Vinod Chembur, in connection with senior journalist Jyotirmoy Dey murder case, Times Now reported. Chembur is believed to have financed the killing and identified Dey to the shooters. With Chembur, police have till date made a total of arrests in the case.

Chembur is alleged to be a bookie and aide of underworld don Chhota Rajan.

"Vinod Asrani alias Vinod Chembur, a bookie who was suspected to have helped the shooters identify Dey, was picked up for questioning and subsequently arrested," said a crime branch official.

The official alleged that Chembur held a meeting with the shooters days before the murder and also handed over money to the killers. Chembur was produced before a local court, which remanded him to police custody till July 7.

The Mumbai crime branch on Saturday had also questioned another Chhota Rajan aide DK Rao in connection with the murder on June 11. While senior police officials remained tight-lipped, sources said they grilled Rao to find out whether he had prior knowledge of Dey's murder or not.

The crime branch feels that Rao, who was picked up on Saturday afternoon, would be able to unravel the real motive behind Dey's murder. But the police do not believe the theory that Dey had passed on sensitive information to Rajan's rival Chhota Shakeel during his 10-day Europe tour in May.

On Friday, a person, claiming to be Rajan, called up a news channel and said he got Dey killed as the scribe had "crossed his limits". Rao, who had killed gangster OP Singh inside the Nashik jail in 2003, is a close confidant of Rajan and was acquitted in two cases a year ago. The police said only one case had been pending against him, that of Singh's murder.

Last Monday, the crime branch arrested seven people, including Rohit Thangappan alias Satish Kalia, who told the police that he was paid Rs 5 lakh by Rajan to bump off Dey. The journalist was gunned down on June 11.

Lokpal will have to work within framework of Constitution: PM

Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee at the all-party meet

NEW DELHI: Affirming government's commitment to enact Lokpal Act that will provide for a strong and effective way to tackle corruption in high places, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said such an institution will have to work within the framework of Constitution.

He told the all-party meeting on Lokpal Bill that strong laws to tackle corruption were necessary but these would not suffice as there was a need to focus on "simplifying procedures, reducing discretion, eliminating arbitrariness and increasing transparency in the way government functions."

Singh noted that there was a feeling that institutional arrangements in place are not strong enough to ensure that the guilty, especially those occupying high positions, are brought to book swiftly and given deterrent punishment.

"I must make it clear at the outset that we, in government, are committed to the enactment of a Lokpal Act, which provides for a strong, effective and quick institutional arrangement for tackling corruption in high places," he said in his opening remarks at the meeting.

"We are also committed to bringing the bill before Parliament in the coming monsoon session," he said.

Apparently acknowledging concerns over certain demands by the civil society which are considered to be creating a "parallel structure", Singh emphasised that "the institution of the Lokpal has to work in harmony with other institutions and laws and it has to function within the framework of the basic structure of our Constitution."

He said the Lokpal will have "to add to and not detract from the legitimate role and authority of other institutions in our democratic structure."

Underlining that the Constitution provides for an "intricate system of checks and balances", he said the new institution of Lokpal has to find an appropriate place in that matrix."

Samsung drops patent-infringement suit against Apple in US

amsung drops patent-infringement suit against Apple in US.

SEOUL: Samsung Electronics Co dropped a patent-infringement suit against Apple Inc, filed at a US federal court in April in response to allegations its Galaxy products copied the iPhone and iPad.

Samsung Electronics dropped the suit on June 30 "to streamline the legal proceedings," Nam Ki Yung, a spokesman for the Suwon, South Korea-based company, said today in a telephone interview. Samsung will continue to defend its patent rights through a counter-claim in an earlier suit Apple filed at the same court in San Jose, California, he said.

Litigation between the two companies, which compete in the mobile-device market, is under way in at least five countries including South Korea, Japan, Germany and the UK. Withdrawal of the California suit won't affect other US cases or patent- violation complaints Samsung raised against Apple in other countries, Nam said.

"Samsung will continue to actively defend and protect our intellectual property," he said. Samsung is the world's second-largest maker of mobile phones.

Steve Park, a Seoul-based Apple spokesman, declined to comment when called by Bloomberg News today.

Cupertino, California-based Apple sued Samsung at the San Jose court in April, alleging Galaxy phones and tablet computers "slavishly" copy the iPhone and iPad. Samsung, which supplies memory chips to Apple, responded with counter-suits.

I never have cash with me: Imran Khan

Imran Khan 

Actor Imran Khan gets candid about his latest film Delhi Belly, the Bhaag D.K. Bose controversy, his rivalry with Ranbir Kapoor and Aamir's critiquing of his work.

He may have mesmerised millions of hearts with his romantic side, but today Imran loses the chocolate-y image as he takes you on a roller-coaster ride with his latest adult-comedy Delhi Belly.

Why do you think the censor board had an issue with the song Bhaag D.K. Bose?
Honestly, I don't understand why there is a hue and cry about the song. There are two aspects to the song; one a gaali (abusive word) and other a name. It depends how you look at it. And, lately there have been plenty of Hindi songs that had far more explicit lyrics and had openly spoken about various sexual acts. This is a youth oriented film and people above a certain age will always tend to react with suspicion as if we're corrupting the youth.

What is the film about?
It's a story about three guys who are friends and flat-mates in Delhi. These guys are not very well off and are udhaariwalas (debtors). The story revolves around them and how they get caught up in a very big crime caper by mistake and then strive to stay alive while keeping it all together.

Have you ever been broke?
(Laughs) I never carry cash with me. My wallet is always empty. Whenever I go out, I always borrow money from other people.

What is your role in the film?
My character in the film is called Tashi, who's a journalist by profession. He is a guy who wants to go crazy and have a good time but doesn't know how. He is not committed to anything nor is he motivated about anything in life. But later, because of the trouble that he gets into along with his friends, he is forced to stand up and take control of his life.

How was the experience working with Vir Das and Kunal Roy Kapoor?
The complete process of making this film was very special. Kunal and Vir are not only fine actors but are also good human beings. We've become close friends. It was a lot fun by just being with these guys, it felt like a boy's club - working and hanging out together.

How do you react when each time you read some controversial story involving Ranbir Kapoor and you?
On a personal level, there has never been an issue between us. Rumors are always floating around in the public eye but I always make sure to call him up and have a Man-to-man talk and it's the same with him too. I appreciate the fact that we give each other the benefit of doubt (Smiles).

Aamir Khan recently said you're "an okay actor". What have you to say about that?
Yes, that's how we are in my family. There are a lot of people who say great things about their families, but in our family we believe criticism is more helpful. We hold each other to very high standards and are expected to maintain it.

The latest trailer of the film displayed you and Aamir in a mock-argument over the lurid content of the film. What's with the unusual promos?
The idea is to warn people about the kind of content that is present in the film. We don't want a situation where someone – anyone – comes in to watch the film expecting something else and later gets upset or offended.

Delhi Belly is 80 percent in English and 20 percent in Hindi. Weren't you skeptical of losing out on a considerable portion of the audience?
The content of the film is not meant for a younger audience. When you're making a film, you have to be honest to the subject matter of the film. You cannot change the content just because it doesn't appeal to certain groups.

Has Aamir liked your performance in the film?
Yes, he has (Smiles). He said I've done well and that's the highest compliment for me.

Jacqueline, Bahraini prince break up!

Jacqueline Fernandez

Jacqueline Fernandez is single again. Her two-year-old relationship with Sheikh Hassan bin Rashid Al Khalifa, a Bahraini prince, has ended.

The break-up happened a few weeks ago when Hassan confronted her about the rumours of her link-up with director Sajid Khan. A source reveals, "It is not just that. There are several factors at play here. Jackie has distanced herself from the prince over time. They were in a long distance relationship, which wasn't the best scenario. Earlier she would make time for him, but suddenly she became ambitious about her career in films and that became a priority. It almost seemed like he was the only one interested in keeping this relationship alive." The source adds that Hassan never stopped her from signing films. "He was always supportive of her work, but she was the one to put the relationship on the backburner. They planned to get engaged but Jackie's attitude changed. It was evident she was no longer interested in him."

Their last meeting ended in an argument and she told him that her career meant more to her at this point than the relationship. She made it clear that she wanted to focus on making it big in B-Town. After that day, she has stopped taking his calls and replying to text messages. The source says, "Their close friends know about the break-up. Hassan doesn't want to talk about it because he wants to keep it private. He has let Jackie go and doesn't want to be bitter over the separation."

The source, however, insists that Jackie's closeness to Sajid Khan isn't the reason for the split. "She made the decision to end her relationship with Hassan early on. During that time she got very close to Sajid, but he isn't responsible for them parting ways." Will they get back together? "No. Hassan and Jackie are done for good," says the source.

Anushka Sharma ignores Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma 

Apparently at a recent international event, Anushka Sharma and good friend Ranveer Singh were at loggerheads throughout.

Says an insider, "She has been signing films with big heroes like Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn and big banners. She now feels she has moved on. Also Ranveer and Sonakshi Sinha have become very close and did an act together at the event — upsetting Anushka even more. The morning after the event, the two had a fight and there was yelling. While Ranvir felt Anushka was ignoring him and paying more attention to Shah Rukh, Anushka fired him for being too nice to Sonakshi. The fight was in full view of onlookers right outside their rooms. After that they refused to talk to each other."

Rescuers rush to reach 40 trapped Chinese miners

BEIJING: A buildup of volatile gas hampered rescue efforts in one Chinese coal mine and high levels of water slowed them in another as emergency crews raced to reach 40 miners trapped Sunday for a second day, officials and state media reports said.

The accidents-a cave-in at one mine and a flood at the other-occurred Saturday in two southern provinces after days of heavy rains.

At the Heshan mine in Guangxi, rescuers vented explosive gas released from coal seams and pumped out silt-filled water as they tried to reach 19 miners believed to be 1,200 feet (390 meters) underground, the state media reports said. China Central Television interviewed a miner who said he heard a loud explosion before the cave-in, which killed at least three miners.

Waters continued to flood into the Niupeng mine in Guizhou, where 21 miners are trapped. Industrial pumps were brought into action but the waters remained high, CCTV said.

Heavy demand for coal to fuel China's economy has turned Chinese mines into the world's deadliest, despite constant safety campaigns that have managed to reduce fatal accidents. On Saturday, the State Administration of Work Safety released its latest order for vigilance after accidents at four other mines, a construction site and a port left 26 people dead in the past two weeks.

134th Rathyatra of Lord Jagannath begins in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: The 134th Rathyatra of Lord Jagannath began here on Sunday morning from the 400-year-old Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area amidst tight security as devotees jostled to have the first glimpse of the deity.

Following the tradition, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi did the symbolic 'road cleaning' ahead of passage of chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balram and their sister, Subhadra.

"With Lord Jagannath's blessing the country and Gujarat would prosper. The lord will bless the under-privileged, the state, and the farmers of Gujarat with rains," he said.

He noted that Lord Jagannath's Rathyatra is taken out at 110 places in Gujarat, and the procession in Ahmedabad has the longest tradition.

A local priest, Mahant Dilipdas Maharaj (37), is presiding over the Lord's journey this year.

In keeping with a century-old tradition, elephants had the first glimpse of Lord Jagannath, and they would lead the procession along its 14-km route.

It will pass through some communally sensitive areas, such as Kalupur, Prem Darwaja, Delhi Chakla, Dariyapur and Shahpur in the old city.

Online retail industry to touch Rs 7,000 crore by 2015

MUMBAI: The online retail industry in India is likely to be worth Rs 7,000-crore by 2015 due to easy availability of broadband services and increasing internet penetration, according to industry body ASSOCHAM.

India is set to become the third largest nation of internet users in the next two years with a large chunk of youngsters eager to adopt new technologies with rapidly changing lifestyles, it says.

"A booming economy and rising disposable incomes have contributed to the evolution of online shopping," said Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) Secretary General, D S Rawat.

The buying-selling trends from leading online shopping portals indicated that online retail market currently stands at Rs 2,000 crore and is growing at a steady annual rate of 35 per cent.

The survey conducted by ASSOCHAM between January to June across ten cities, in which 5,000 shoppers were interviewed, revealed that most online shoppers used internet to evaluate options by gathering information on available products and prices or buy low-value items like gift products, but opted for final transactions at the traditional retail outlets.

"But now the trend is changing fast. Leading companies have gauged the potential of online retail industry and are gearing up fast to cash in," said Rawat.

About 40 per cent of respondents said they preferred to shop online for convenience it offered and also to collect detailed product information.

Barack Obama's jobs plan aimed at voters, not debt talks

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama's call for new job-creation measures won't make it easier to reach a budget-cutting deal with Republicans in Congress, but it could make it easier for him to win reelection next year.

As the Democratic president pushes Congress to complete a deal that would avoid a potentially catastrophic debt default, Obama must balance the concerns of two very different groups: Republicans who want deep spending cuts and independent voters who are struggling to make headway in a sluggish economy.

Guess who got more sympathy on Wednesday at Obama's first formal press conference since March? Hint: it wasn't the group that he compared to his school-age children.

"Malia and Sasha generally finish their homework a day ahead of time. ... They don't wait until the night before, they're not pulling all-nighters. They're 13 and 10. You know, Congress can do the same thing," he said at a news conference.

Obama's stance makes it more likely that Congress will be pulling all-nighters as an Aug. 2 deadline for raising the debt ceiling approaches.

His call for new construction loans and an extended payroll-tax break would probably add hundreds of billions of dollars to budget deficits in the short term.

That makes it more difficult for negotiators to reach the $2 trillion plus dollars in deficit savings that will likely be needed for Congress to raise the $14.3 trillion debt limit before early August, when the treasury department says it will run out of money to cover the nation's bills.

It's possible that Obama has other numbers in mind. The US Federal Reserve projects that the unemployment rate, now at 9.1. per cent, will be around 8 per cent when he comes up for reelection in November 2012. In recent decades, no president has been reelected with unemployment over 7.2 per cent.

Neither job-creation proposal is new -- Obama backed additional construction spending last year, and the White House floated a payroll-tax break extension several weeks ago. Senate Democrats last week called for both proposals to be included in the budget talks, right before they hit a standstill.

BRIGHT LIGHTS, HIGH STAKES

By touting the proposals under the bright lights of a White House press conference, Obama showed that he was more interested in advancing Democratic goals than reaching a quick resolution with Republicans, analysts said.

"Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats want to cut the deal early. Everyone has to have this Tony Award-winning performance that shows they have done everything they can to fight for their policies, fight for their principles before they can compromise," said Ethan Siegal, an analyst with The Washington Exchange.

In vivid language, Obama contrasted the spending cuts that Republicans have proposed to food inspections and student loans with the tax breaks they want to protect for hedge-fund managers, corporate jet owners and other affluent types.

Obama's performance marked "the strongest argument that Democrats have made in a while in the whole budget area," ISI Group analyst Andy Laperriere said.

Obama said the job-creation efforts don't necessarily have to be included in the deficit deal, but it's hard to see how they could pass as a stand-alone bill.

Republicans say measures that would worsen deficits have no place in talks designed to reduce them. "This isn't a negotiation -- it's parody," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said before Obama's news conference.

Republicans routinely refer to Obama's 2009 stimulus effort as a "failure," and they are eager to advance a jobs agenda of their own centered on deregulation, tax cuts and a repeal of Obama's 2010 healthcare overhaul.

"Stimulus is still a four-letter word for Republicans," MF Global analyst Chris Krueger said.

Even if they are doomed to failure, the job-creation proposals could serve as a negotiating chip to help Democrats win some of the $400 billion in revenue increases they want.

And any tax breaks that survive could come back to haunt Republicans in campaign commercials next fall.

"I think it would be hard for Republicans to stand there and say that the tax break for corporate jets is sufficiently important that ... that's the reason we're not going to come to a deal," Obama said.

No patch up yet with Salman Khan: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Sanjay Leela Bhansali may have patched up with Sonam, Rani, SRK and Farah; but there's still one person he refuses to mend bridges with

So what are you making next?
Even I would like to know that. I have just finished a script. All I can tell you is that it's going to be a dhin tadak film. It will be a romantic musical. I am not in the Saawariya, Guzaarish or Black space any more.

 

So, you are making a happy film...
Yes. Dark films ki apni jagah hai, taare raat ko hi chamakte hai. Dark literature is what classical cinema is all about. Guru Dutt, Bimal Roy... they all made dark films. Young directors too are making movies on darker subjects. So why am I being named as the director of dark films?

Maybe because of Black and Guzaarish ...
They were intense films. But not necessarily dark. I realised what mainstream audiences want to spend their money on. So, I will go back to what I think I do best. I did Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas back to back. And both became musical hits. Then I did Black with no songs. Then Then I made Guzaarish and expressed all my fears of death, sorrow and suffering. Now I am in a happy space.

After your recent interviews, people think you are on a blasting spree...
No. I am friends with everyone. I just happened to speak my heart out. I wasn't blasting anyone. In fact, as far as Karan Johar, Sonam Kapoor or Rani Mukerji are concerned, there is no problem between us at all. If they choose to speak on a television show or in print, then I will have to answer them. I don't want people to take me for granted. I don't want them to say 'yeh toh sirf baithke sun raha hai'.

Sonam even took you out for dinner...
I have nurtured and trained Sonam. So if she says something even if she doesn't mean it, I'll feel bad. Now, we have cleared the air. Sonam toh mera bachcha hai.

And what about Rani?
Only a couple of days back, we had a chat. I cannot explain the relationship I share with Rani, it's rare.

And Salman? Have you two patched up?
No. Salman is in his own space. I am in mine. I have never spoken a word against him to the media. And I never will. He is in a great space right now and I want him to be happy. However, we are not in touch.

Hrithik stood up for you when Salman made some comments about you and Guzaarish...
Why shouldn't he stand up for me? When the article came out where Salman had slammed my film, Guzaarish was still playing in the theatres. Hrithik had given his life and soul to the film. There's nothing wrong about standing up for one's own film. We all love and respect Salman. We understand his temperament. Abhi Salman ka waqt hai, thoda zyaada bol leta hai.

You seem to be enjoying X Factor.
It is a nice way of discovering new talent in India. I wanted to be a part of spotting that talent. I am enjoying every bit of it. I danced to Dhinka Chika on the show. I have never danced before. This is the real me.

But you come across as an extremely serious and angry person...
That image is created by my films. People just feel I am angry. The truth is that I have barely had one or two fits of anger. While making a film, it happens. One has to coordinate with a lot of people on the sets. A lot of directors get angry but main karoon toh character dheela hai!

How do you feel about people constantly taking digs at you?
Well, one definitely can't ignore them. The bigger the elephant, the more people will bark. I don't mind playing the elephant. But humour is also important. Golmaal gags on Black were funny. Also, SRK and Saif doing the whole towel act at the award function were funny. Except, they did go a little overboard. But at the end of the day, it is all good fun. One mustn't take work too seriously.

SBI MF's regular income investment scheme opens tomorrow

NEW DELHI: Country's sixth largest asset manager SBI Mutual Fund's new fund offer (NFO) promising regular income on a minimum investment of Rs 5,000 will open on Monday.

The SBI Debt Fund Series-90 Days-46, would invest in portfolio comprising debt instruments like government securities, PSU and corporate bonds and money market instruments.

The minimum investment in the fund would be Rs 5,000. The NFO would close on July 7, SBI MF said in statement.

Since it is a close ended debt scheme, no repurchase or redemptions of units would be allowed before the maturity of the scheme (before 90 days).

The fund would be listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange, the asset manager said.

At the end of June quarter, SBI MF, a joint venture between State Bank of India and AMUNDI, managed assets worth Rs 47,874 crore. State Bank of India is the sponsor of the fund.

2G scam: Court to resume hearing tomorrow

NEW DELHI: The hearing in the 2G spectrum scam, which was held up due to the summer break in the district courts here, is all set to resume on Monday.

The high-profile accused in the case, including former telecom minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi, Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa and 11 others, will appear before special CBI judge OP Saini, who is exclusively dealing with the case after the Supreme Court's directions.

The court had held the last hearing in the case on June 10.

Till now the scrutiny of documents was going on and now, the court would commence hearing arguments of the prosecution and defence counsel.

CBI has filed two charge sheets in the case indicting 17 accused, including 14 persons and three telecom companies.

The probe agency is likely to file its third charge sheet in the case by second week of July.

In the first charge sheet filed on April 2, CBI has named Raja, Balwa, former telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura, Raja's personal secretary RK Chandolia, Unitech MD Sanjay Chandra, DB Realty promoter Vinod Goenka and three Reliance ADAG officials - Hari Nair, Surrendra Pipara and Gautam Doshi.

They were arrested for offences, including cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy.

Dhoni risks ban for slow Indian over-rates

India's Ishant Sharma talks with India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni during the second Test match against West Indies in Bridgetown. (AP Photo)

BRIDGETOWN: Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni needs to ensure that his bowlers complete overs in stipulated time in the third Test against the West Indies as a slow rate could get him banned from playing in the opening Test against England later this month.

Dhoni and his team were deemed to have bowled three overs short during the Barbados Test which ended in a draw on Saturday.

This is his second offence this year after he was found guilty during the third Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town earlier this year.

Another such offence in the Dominica Test, starting on July 6, would bring a mandatory ban on the Indian captain.

Rule 2.5 of the ICC code of conduct states that in case a particular team is guilty of bowling slow over-rates on three occasions in a 12-month period, the guilty captain would suffer an immediate suspension of one match in the same format of the game as in which the offence occurred.

In accordance with the regulations concerning minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

So Dhoni would be docked 60 per cent of this match fees from the Barbados Test.

Two years ago, Dhoni was banned for two one-dayers after his team failed to maintain the over-rate during the second match against Sri Lanka in Nagpur.

Dhoni thus missed the one-day internationals in Cuttack and Kolkata of the series, returning only for the final game in Delhi.

BSP leader shot dead in Gorakhpur

GORAKHPUR: A local BSP leader was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle-borne men in a busy area in this town in Uttar Pradesh, police said today.

"Two masked men came on a motorcycle last evening and shot Badrul in the head killing him on the spot," they said.

Badrul Hasan, BSP's sector president of old Gorakhnath area and Sirajuudin alias Bhola, party's Gorakhnath sector in-charge were returning from a meeting held in the party office, they said.

Badrul (34) and Bhola were on a bike and going to Gorakhnath temple when the incident occurred in Kotwali area.

Bhola fell from the bike and received serious injuries. He was admitted to a hospital in a serious condition, they said.

According to DIG Mukesh Shukla, the motive of the murder is unknown.

The police have arrested one person in the case and investigation is on, he added.

Maid in Strauss-Kahn case working as hooker: Report

On Friday, Strauss-Kahn was released from house arrest and is now allowed to travel inside the US.

NEW YORK: The Guinean maid, who accused former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault, was also working as a prostitute, a media report has claimed.

'The New York Post' reported that the 32-year-old maid at the Sofitel Hotel was doing double duty as a prostitute, collecting cash on the side from male guests.

"There is information... of her getting extraordinary tips, if you know what I mean," a source close to the defence investigation told The Post.

The woman also had "a lot of her expenses -- hair braiding, salon expenses -- paid for by men not related to her," the source said.

Strauss-Kahn, 62, was accused of forcing the maid at the Sofitel hotel in Manhattan to perform oral sex.

He was taken into custody a few minutes before his Air France flight departed for Paris in May. Strauss-Kahn has claimed that their sexual encounter was consensual.

The source said that immigrants from Guinea had been targeted by the maid.

"We have people who have been victimized, who have claimed she ripped them off. Nice working people from her neighborhood," a source said.

This week the case against Strauss-Kahn unraveled quickly as it emerged the maid, who accused him, has been lying and has criminal connections.

On Friday, Strauss-Kahn was released from house arrest and is now allowed to travel inside the US. While the case against him has been weakened, the charges still stand.

I am innocent, conviction a stigma: Maria Susairaj

I have left my past behind, says Maria Susairaj

MUMBAI: Maria Susairaj on Saturday sought to convince the media that victim Neeraj Grover's body had not been chopped into 300-odd pieces after the murder, a rare instance of a convicted criminal brazening out a public defence of her act.

Susairaj's press conference came after a day spent in Mumbai 'darshan', which included a visit to St Michael's Church in Mahim, aborted attempts to visit the Mahim Dargah and the Siddhivinayak temple, and being tailed by the media through her drive from the island city to Thane and back.

But the media briefing, which was supposed to be Susairaj's show, degenerated into a free-for-all after friends of Grover, the man killed in May 2008 at a Malad highrise, descended on the Press Club in south Mumbai, forcing Susairaj to seek police protection by the end of the day.

Susairaj and her lawyer Sharif Shaikh sought to clear the air over the number of pieces Grover's body had been chopped into after the murder. "The prosecution had said that both Maria and Emile Jerome (who was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment) had cut Grover into 300 pieces, but according to the photograph taken by the investigating officer, Satish Raorane, it is clear that the rib cage, skull and legs are intact at the place of the offence, where the body was supposed to be burnt," Shaikh said.

At the same time, Susairaj also put in a line of sympathy for the Grovers. "I feel sympathy for his family as losing somebody in the family is not easy. This whole scenario is sad," she said. The attempt at sympathy was promptly met with derision by the Grovers in Kanpur. The 30-year-old refused to comment on her relationship with Grover, and played down the importance of her fiancee, Jerome, in her life. "I have not had a word with him..." She insisted that she shared "no friendship" with Jerome.

Even as she was being bombarded with questions from the media, Grover's friends protested loudly. "Maria is a killer", they shouted. At one point, a protestor inched his way to Susairaj, and lawyers and media persons jumped to her rescue and ordered them to leave the venue. She quickly regained her composure: "I haven't faced so many people in the last three years I was in jail. It is still not digested...I cannot be cool after being in jail for three years and 41 days."

She refused to comment on the case and repeatedly said: "All I know that is I am innocent. I don't want to comment anything about the law. I have left the past behind. I have not yet realized what is happening. I have not digested the stigma that I have been convicted."

The chaos at the Byculla women's jail set the tone for the day as onlookers and mediapersons armed with cameras gathered at the entrance waiting for Susairaj. The police had to be called in to control the crowds.

Amid the growing frenzy, her lawyer requested the police to allow the private vehicle — a white Honda City — into the prison grounds as he feared for his client's safety. At 11.35am on Saturday morning, Susairaj clad in a brown floral salwar kameez, stepped out of the jail with a police escort. A constable at the gate shook his head in wonder and said "It is only on rare occasions that a private vehicle is allowed on the prison premises."

At that moment, the gates opened for an ambulance, which the waiting crowd thought was a decoy. A closer glance revealed that the ambulance was ferrying Malegaon bomb blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Thakur to a hospital. But on Saturday morning, all eyes were trained on the Kannada actor.

The moment the white car carrying Susairaj, her brother Richard and an associate lawyer rolled out of the prison gates, the media gave chase. The vehicle sped towards Worli and took the Bandra-Worli Sea Link only to return to St Michael's Church at Mahim.

Later at the press conference, Susairaj explained her need to visit the church instead of leaving the city as initially planed. "For three years I haven't seen the door of a church. I had to go to show that I was grateful and thankful. I have always felt close to God and I believed in God. I reconnected." She was also scheduled a visit to the Mahim Dargah and Siddhivinayak temple, but decided against it and took the Western Express Highway to Thane in an attempt to shake off the media. Once the coast was clear, she quickly headed to her lawyer's office at Bandra Kurla Express.

About her future plans, Susiaraj said, "I am not going to decide anything for myself anymore. Let my family decide everything. I have put my past behind me. I have spent three years and 41 days in jail. The time I spent in jail I should say was very blessed. I got closer to God. I started attending prayer meets and involved myself into creative activities like paintings."

Susairaj is convicted for destruction of evidence and had been sentenced to three years. She walked out of Byculla women's prison at 11.35am as she has already served the sentence having been in jail since her arrest in 2008.

NDA to attend all-party meet, but Shiv Sena lone disaster

Lokpal Bill: NDA to attend all-party meet

NEW DELHI: After considering the option of declining the government's invitation to an all-party meeting on the Lokpal bill, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance on Saturday decided to attend the deliberation although one constituent, the Shiv Sena, will keep away.

BJP worked out divisions within as one section did not want to attend the meeting in the light of government's refusal to engage with the Opposition on the proposed anti-corruption watchdog. BJP had expressed its disappointment with the absence of any Opposition representation on the government-civil society joint drafting committee.

Senior BJP leader L K Advani announced the NDA decision after discussions at his residence, saying Sunday's meeting was the first time when the government had invited the Opposition for a discussion on Lokpal having failed in its attempt to work out differences with the Anna Hazare group.

While not in a hurry to bail out the government over its Lokpal dilemma with Hazare threatening to renew his fast on August 16 if a law is not legislated by then, the NDA meeting felt the alliance could appear obdurate and obstructionist if it kept away from Sunday's deliberations and that the government's views must be heard.

Sources said BJP may not open its cards on contentious issues like inclusion of the Prime Minister, higher judiciary and conduct of MPs in Parliament as part of the proposed Lokpal's ambit although it has said it supports a strong anti-corruption ombudsman. BJP has emphasized the need for an effective mechanism for the Lokpal's appointment as well. The party will respond to some aspects of the proposed law but insist the government first present a final draft.

The Sena claimed it was yet to study the Lokpal proposals and BJP leaders said the party was not clear about its position on key issues. Sena had initially supported the Hazare campaign but words were later exchanged with party supremo Bal Thackeray alleging that corporates were funding the Gandhian.

NDA partners Shiromani Akali Dal and JD(U) have been in favour of attending the all-party meeting and the NDA is expected to hear what the government has to say ahead of the Parliament session. It is clear from BJP's interaction with the Hazare group on Friday that the party is not in sync with several core objectives the civil society activists are rooting for.

High tea lands Tihar Jail superintendent in Andaman

Life in Tihar: Tea with jail official, chatting with friends

NEW DELHI: The Tihar Jail authorities on Saturday ordered an inquiry into the hospitality being extended to the accused in the CWG and 2G scams by officials, as reported by TOI on Saturday. Jail superintendent S C Bharadwaj was transferred to Port Blair within hours of the report appearing.

Inspecting trial court judge Brijesh Kumar Garg on Thursday found Bharadwaj sipping tea and munching snacks in his chamber with sacked CWG organizing committee chief Suresh Kalmadi.

For the record, jail officials denied the transfer had anything to do with the incident. "Bharadwaj was not relieved from his position because of the incident. His transfer orders had been given to him over a month ago and he was due to go on Friday," deputy inspector general (prisons) R N Sharma said.

"The officer-in-charge of vigilance, Dinesh Gandhi, will carry out the inquiry and submit a report within 48 hours," Sharma said after a meeting of all jail superintendents on Saturday afternoon where they were reportedly pulled up over the reports.

The TOI report also mentioned that the judge had found the cells of the 2G spectrum and NALCO case accused unlocked. Kalmadi, an accused in Commonwealth Games scams, has been lodged in Jail No. 4 since May. Rajeev Aggarwal and Sharad Kumar, both 2G scam accused, too are in the same jail.

Sunil Gupta, PRO, Tihar, said all the superintendents have been told to take extra precautions. "They have been told that no prisoner, howsoever influential, should be given extra privileges. All the jail superintendents have told the DIG that no one is being treated in a special manner."

"We have ordered an inquiry into the entire episode and in another 48 hours we can explain the whole matter. We do not have access to the report (written by judge Garg) till now, but based on the inquiry report we will take action against the erring jail official," he added.

Though DIG Sharma did not deny the allegations of the jail superintendent being with Kalmadi, he said why the incident happened is yet to be explained. "Whatever allegations of wrongdoings inside the prison may have been made, the truth would be known once the inquiry report is out. We have held a meeting of all jail superintendents and taken up the issue with them," the DIG said.

Anna Hazare team to meet Advani on Lokpal Bill

New Delhi: Initiating their dialogue with political parties, the Anna Hazare team on Friday met senior BJP leader L.K. Advani to drum up support for their version of the Lokpal Bill.


Activists Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia briefed Mr. Advani about the deliberations in the joint draft committee meetings on the Bill, and their stand on Jan Lokpal Bill as well as the government’s draft.

“The meeting was very encouraging. Mr. Advani told us that the country needs an effective Lokpal. He heard us and requested us to make a detailed presentation before senior BJP leaders,” Ms. Bedi told PTI after the meeting.

Mr. Sisodia said Mr. Hazare and others will take part in the deliberations with top BJP leaders which will be held before the all—party meeting convened by the government on the Lokpal Bill in the first week of July.

The Anna camp said they were not looking for assurances from the party at this point, as they wanted only to put across their views and brief Mr. Advani.

The meeting was part of the Mr. Hazare team’s efforts to reach out to political parties. They had earlier announced that they will be meeting all political parties.

Raising their pitch on the Lokpal Bill issue, the Hazare team alleged that the government version of the ombudsman was not aimed at fighting corruption, but for targeting those who complain against the menace.

The Hazare team felt that the exclusion of a large chunk of the bureaucracy from the ambit of Lokpal and the provision to hear officials accused of corruption before filing of case and charge sheet were not proper.