Fadnavis witness in phone-tapping case, court told

Mumbai, December 25

Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is a witness in the case registered over illegal phone-tapping that allegedly took place when IPS officer Rashmi Shukla headed the state’s Intelligence Department, the Maharashtra Government has told the Esplanade court here.

Confirming the development on Saturday, Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar, appearing for the state, said, “Yes, Fadnavis is a witness in the case. His statement will be recorded in due course of law.” The BKC cyber police station in Mumbai, on the complaint of the Maharashtra Intelligence Department, had registered an FIR under the Official Secrets Act against unidentified persons for alleged illegal tapping of phones and leak of confidential documents.

As per the complaint, the phone-tapping allegedly took place when Shukla headed the Maharashtra Intelligence Department. Fadnavis, a former Chief Minister, had cited a letter purportedly written by Shukla to the then Director-General of Police about alleged corruption in police transfers. PTI

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Xmas celebrations muted in Delhi

New Delhi, December 25

The Christian community in the national capital celebrated Christmas with caution as fewer people reached churches amid concerns over the Omicron variant. On Wednesday, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had directed district magistrates to ensure that no Christmas and New Year gatherings took place in the national Capital.

However, after receiving various communications seeking clarity, it said on Thursday that religious places would remain open on Christmas and New Year’s Eve for celebrations and prayers, subject to strict compliance of Covid-appropriate behaviour.

About the midnight mass across churches in the city, Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Delhi, said not many people stepped out for Christmas this year. “Even though there is no such restriction on visitors, there was confusion regarding the DDMA order. So, not many people have come out this year. People seem a bit anxious. We haven’t seen much footfall,” he said.

“Even though churches were prepared to handle the situation keeping the Covid-related standard operating procedure in mind, the environment was not very positive and vibrant,” he added.

Father James Peter Raj of St Luke’s Church also said fewer people attended the celebrations this year.

The Centenary Methodist Church had a “subdued service with fewer people in attendance”. Restaurants across the city celebrated the festival, with most saying that footfall was as usual and that DDMA guidelines were being followed.

On Saturday, Delhi recorded 249 fresh Covid cases, the highest single-day rise since June 13, and one death while the positivity rate mounted to 0.43 per cent, according to the data shared by the Health Department. PTI

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Have written to Prez, PM on Guv’s ‘interference’: WB Speaker

Kolkata, December 25

West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay, who has had several run-ins with Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar in the recent past, on Saturday said he had written to President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi to apprise them of Dhankhar’s “interference” in legislative matters.

The Speaker had earlier expressed anguish over Dhankhar’s insistence to administer oath to TMC MLAs, including CM Mamata Banerjee, after the September 30 elections. He had engaged in a war of words with the Governor over appointment of Mukul Roy as Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman.

The two have also sparred over a Bill seeking separation of Bally municipality from the Howrah Municipal Corporation. The Bill has been passed by the Assembly and is awaiting Governor’s assent.

“I have written to the PM and the President to complain against his (Governor’s) tendency to violate constitutional conventions and interfere in legislative matters,” the Speaker said.

Dhankhar said he was yet to get documents that he had sought pertaining to the Bill. PTI