Thursday, April 25, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Sidhu helped people at Badal’s behest: Jagman
Ropar, April 24
Jagman Singh, once a main associate of PPSC Chairman Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu, who today turned public approver in the case, dragged the names of the former Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and a high court judge in the case.

• Vigilance Bureau to question
  Pritpal Singh

• Probe commission illegal: Badal

• Justice Garg takes charge of panel

Curfew in Bhavnagar, Bhiwandi
Mulayam-led team visits riot-hit areas
Curfew was clamped on Bhavnagar town of Gujarat and Bhiwandi town in Maharashtra on Wednesday as violence continued to spread in the areas. Curfew was imposed on the Bhavnagar town at 7 p.m. following incidents of arson, stone-throwing and violence. Five persons were injured in stone and bottle-throwing and one in stabbing as mob set afire five houses and three shops, besides some vehicles.

Advani rejects probe by SC Judge   A house goes up in flames during fresh cases of rioting and arson in parts of Ahmedabad on Tuesday. — PTI photo

Videos:
Former Prime Minister H. D. Devegowda visits Gujarat after the worst flareup of communal violence in the state. (28k, 56k)

Home Minister L. K. Advani says Opposition demand for a probe into Gujarat riots by a sitting Supreme Court judge was unprecedented. (28k, 56k)

Atal Behari Vajpayee welcomes Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga at his residence in New Delhi on Wednesday. — PTI Story on Nation page

Privilege notice against Prime Minister’s remark
New Delhi, April 24
The Lok Sabha today witnessed noisy scenes for a while when RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said he had given a notice of privilege motion against Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for his yesterday’s reported remark casting “aspersions” on the Chair.

• RS admits move on Gujarat
• Editorial: Think of India, Mr Prime Minister

6 special police districts to close
Chandigarh, April 24
Accepting the report of the Officers Committee headed by Mr Y.S. Ratra, Chief Secretary, the Cabinet sub-committee headed by the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, has agreed to enforce various recommendations made in it with immediate effect as a part of fiscal management and to tide over the financial crisis. The meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee was held today, according to a press note.

Special package to revive J&K economy
New Delhi, April 24
In a major decision to revive the militancy-hit economy of Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Cabinet tonight approved a special package of incentives for new industrial units and substantial expansion of the existing ones.

PU’s April 26 exams postponed
Chandigarh, April 24
Panjab University has postponed the examinations scheduled for April 26 in the wake of a boycott call by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union. The examinations will now be held on May 8, a university press release said here today.

Gulshan case: one held guilty, 18 acquitted Mumbai, April 24 A Mumbai sessions court today held Mohammad Rauf Merchant guilty of involvement in the Gulshan Kumar murder case. Additional Sessions Judge M. L. Tahiliyani, however, acquitted the 18 other accused, including Ramesh Taurani, the owner of Tips Cassettes, for want of evidence.