Death row convicts' kin should be informed in advance: CJI

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Altamas Kabir said on Monday that the families of death row convicts should be informed in advance about their execution. However, he said that past incidents should not be raked up. "Procedure as has been in the past, they should have been informed and as far as I know, steps were taken to inform them," the CJI said in response to a question about keeping families of death row convicts informed in time about their execution. The CJI also warned of chaos if children, especially those in conflict with law,were not taken care of and were not provided protection. Children who constituted 42 per cent of the population, were potential force for progress of the country, but a large number of them do not have facilities, the Chief Justice said and highlighted the need of strengthening the juvenile justice system.

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Chopper deal: CBI likely to start questioning this week

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to start questioning suspects this week in connection with its ongoing probe into alleged kickbacks in the Rs 3,600-crore VVIP helicopter deal. The CBI has named 10 Indians in the FIR, including former IAF Chief S P Tyagi, besides brother of former Union Minister Santosh Bagrodia, Satish Bagrodia, and Pratap Aggarwal, Chairman and Managing Director of IDS Infotech respectively. The former Air Chief and his cousins Sandeep, Julie and Docsa Tyagi have been accused of alleged association with European middlemen Carlo Gerosa and Guido Haschkhe who worked for Italian firm Finmeccanica to clinch the deal in favour of its UK-based subsidiary AgustaWestland. The CBI has alleged that middleman Haschke, through his Tunisia-based company Gordian Services Sarl, entered into several consultancy contracts with AgustaWestland from 2004-05 onwards and "almost on back-to-back basis he also made consultancy contracts with the Tyagi brothers (Tyagi's cousins)," CBI sources said. Under the cover of these contracts, Haschke allegedly sent 1.26 lakh Euros and two lakh Euros to the Tyagi brothers.

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Assam rhino killings: CBI takes up probe

The CBI has taken up investigation into the killings of rhinos in Assam, state Environment and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said on Sunday. Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions had sent a communication in this regard to the state government on Saturday, Hussain informed. However, details of the number of cases taken up by the CBI and the time-frame for the investigation was yet to be known. "We are awaiting further details. But we welcome the Centre's initiative," Hussain said. "We had suggested that the CBI take up all cases up to three to five years old. However, as per their (CBI) proforma, they take up investigation based on cases and FIRs filed," he added. The minister said he had written to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on 27th September, 2012, for a CBI inquiry into the killings of rhinos and it was forwaded to the chief secretary on the same day. The

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Akhilesh Yadav assures of CBI probe into the killing of a DSP in Pratapgarh

Controversial Uttar Pradesh Minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias 'Raja Bhaiya' resigned on Monday and faced possible arrest after he was booked for alleged conspiracy in the killing of a police officer over which a CBI probe will be ordered. Facing heat over the alleged involvement of Raja Bhaiya in the murder of DSP Zia-ul-Haq in mob violence inPratapgarh district on Saturday, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav rushed to the officer's native village in Deoria and assured his wife Parveen Azad her demand for a CBI inquiry would be accepted. "Action will be taken. Anybody who is accused no matter how big the person is he will be sent to jail. A CBI probe will be ordered," Akhilesh told reporters after his visit that was marked by shouting of anti-government slogans. Two persons including

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Rio to be sworn in as Nagaland CM today

Neiphiu Rio will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Nagaland for the third consecutive term on Tuesday at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima. Governor Nikhil Kumar will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Rio, who was earlier elected as leader of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) legislature party, and 11 Cabinet Ministers. The list of the Cabinet Ministers is likely to be submitted to the Governor by Monday, the sources said. The Naga People's Front (NPF)-led DAN, having 40 elected members, along with the support of seven Independents, had staked claim to form the government on Saturday. Rio is the only leader to have led the regional party to victory in the Assembly elections for the third time in the 50-year history of Nagaland statehood.

Chopper scam: Def procurement policy to be changed

In the wake of the recent chopper scam, the government on Monday announced it would change its defence procurement policy, which will be unveiled within a few months. "Within a few months we are going to change the defence procurement procedure again," Defence Minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha. The defence procurement policy was revised as recently as 2011. The minister was replying to questions on the allegations of kickbacks to the tune of Rs 362 crore in the Rs 3,600 crore deal to procure 12 VVIP choppers from AgustaWestland. His statement assumed significance as the government has come under sharp attack over the chopper scam, with allegations that former Air Chief S P Tyagi was a beneficiary in the kickbacks. Antony said that the government had to import defence equipment because the services require the most modern

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Ice broken on defence clearance to KG-D6, 6 blocks: Moily

With over Rs 80,000 crore of investment in oil and gas hunt stuck for want of defence nod, Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily has said the ice has been broken on getting clearance for 39 offshore areas including Reliance Industries' already producing oil and gas fields. Defence Ministry has declared 7 blocks including RIL's KG-D6 which has been in production since September 2008 and its gas discovery block NEC-25 for reasons like overlapping with proposed Naval base or being close to missile launching and Air Force exercise area. "We have broken the ice. I don't think you can say (log jam continues)... oil and gas activities and defence strategies can co-exist," Moily told reporters when asked about

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