In diplomat vs maid case, Delhi court takes tough stand with govt

New Delhi:  The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its order on the government's plea seeking directions to restrain an Indian domestic help, awarded nearly $1.5 million relief for alleged ill-treatment by an Indian consulate employee in the US, from pursuing her case in a New York court.

Justice Kailash Gambhir asked the government why it had made itself a party to the case.

"Why are you filing a case? Why can the diplomat not file apetition on her own? How can Union of India become a party on what happens in the four corners of a flat," the court asked.

Responding to this, Additional Solicitor General A.S. Chandiok said that the government had sent the diplomat to New York. Thus, the government took a stand and filed a petition in the US.

"To bring into the notice of the US court that she is an Indian diplomat, I filed the petition there," Chandiok said.

"Can someone interfere with the administrative service of India," asked Chandiok, adding that the New York court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the maid's complaint.

Chandiok told the court that the diplomat had transferred an amount of Rs.221,000 into the maid's account in lieu of her service which was later reimbursed by the government to the diplomat.

A New York judge last month recommended that maid Shanti Gurung deserved nearly $1.5 million for her "barbaric treatment" by Neena Malhotra, who in 2006 served as press counsellor at the Indian consulate in the US, and her husband Jogesh.

Gurung in her complaint in the US alleged that Malhotra made her work without pay, seized her passport and visa, restricted her ability to leave her apartment and constantly warned her that if she travelled on her own, without their permission, she would be arrested, beaten and raped.

Justice Gambhir on Tuesday sought the bank account details in which the salary of the maid was paid.

The government March 12 approached the court seeking directions to restrain Gurung from pursuing the case in a New York court. It also sought the court to direct Gurung to withdraw the complaint.

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Nupur Talwar moves Supreme Court with review plea

New Delhi:  Nupur Talwar, mother of Aarushi Talwar who was killed in 2008 at Noida, has moved the Supreme Court with a plea to review its decision of declining to quash the case against the dentist couple. She wanted the court to hear the review petition in the open court.

The Supreme Court will now hear the review petition in the open court. Normally, review petitions are decided by the judges in their chambers, and not in the open court.

On January 6 this year, the court rejected the Talwars' plea to close the case against them and directed them to stand trial before Ghaziabad special CBI court.

The trial court refused to accept the closure report filed by the CBI in December 2010, and took cognizance of the case.

Now, Mrs Talwar in her review petition wants the Supreme Court to review its January 6 decision and direct CBI for further scientific probe.

In her review petition, Nupur says that the DNA evidence of Hemraj was found in Krishna's house in the bedsheet seized by the police and later given to the CBI. By this, Talwars claim that Krishna came in contact with Hemraj before the murders.
The petition also states that the clothes the Talwars wore on the night of Aarushi's murder, only had her DNA and not Hemraj's.
Stating that none of these findings of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) were considered by any court, Talwars have once again pleaded for DNA mapping.

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Ekta Kapoor: 'No reality shows for me!'

By Hindustan Times

NEW DELHI, March 13 -- After 18 years in the industry, and producing over 50 TV shows, producer Ekta Kapoor says that she doesn't want to re-enter the realm of reality shows, despite rumours that she is planning one with a leading channel.

Ekta's earlier ventures into reality TV, Kabhi Kabhii Pyaar Kabhi Kabhii Yaar (Sony Entertainment) and Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket (9X), attracted more criticism than accolades. "We put too much drama into these shows, and even today, regardless of what anyone says, I'm proud of them!"

Ekta says. "We took baby steps into the reality show scene with these two shows. Today, I know that I can do better, but I am content narrating stories about the common man in my movies and TV shows. The audience connects with them better, and that is what matters," adds the 36-year-old.

Ask her about recent rumours doing the rounds, about her launching a third reality show, and she says, "Producing a reality show takes a certain kind of expertise and I don't think I have it right now. In the midst of my ongoing projects, I don't have time to run through new formats, and think about how to execute them."

Ekta is currently on a high after actor Vidya Balan won a National Award for her Award for her performance in the the film The Dirty Picture, that Ekta produced. "It proves that the human side of any story, combined with an actor's honest effort, can make or break a project," she says.

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Will Mamata vote against the government today? Unlikely, say sources

Kolkata:  Mamata Banerjee's commitment to her fight against the National Counter Terrorism Centre could be tested today in Parliament. The head of the Trinamool Congress has field-marshalled a group of ten chief ministers who have opposed the Centre's new anti-terror agency on the grounds that it erodes the autonomy of state governments.

Ms Banerjee's party members had moved amendments to "the motion of thanks to the President" for her speech delivered this week to Parliament (the President's address  outlines the government's agenda). In the Lok Sabha, these amendments have been rejected on technical grounds - the wording was incorrect and they were filed too late. But they've been accepted in the Rajya Sabha. The main Opposition party, the BJP, has moved similar amendments. So if Ms Banerjee wants to further embarrass the government which she belongs to, her MPs could vote with the BJP and against the ruling UPA. That's not likely to happen, say sources.

The exit route for Ms Banerjee may come in the form of a protest by her MPs, who could walk out of the House before a vote, demanding financial assistance for West Bengal, which is governed by their leader. Ms Banerjee has been asking the Centre for Rs 22000 crore; she also wants the Centre to suspend the interest the state owes on loans already taken.

Financial assistance is the Centre's only hold over Ms Banerjee, whose relationship with the UPA has been in the danger zone for a while now. At a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister last night, Ms Banerjee was missing - she chose to fly to Nagpur instead to attend a wedding. The fact that she deputed a first-time MP, Ratna De Nag, and not one of her senior ministers or leaders was seen as a flat snub to the Congress.

Pointedly, Ms Banerjee deputed two of her Union ministers to attend the swearing-in of the Punjab government, a partnership between the Akalis and the BJP. For the UPA's political rival, Ms Banerjee sent a senior delegation. The Prime Minister's dinner, in comparison, received minimal attention.

At the dinner on Tuesday night, senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee made it clear that Ms Banerjee's amendments could cost the government heavily - if a vote was held, he warned, the government could lose.

Ms Banerjee's 19 Lok Sabha MPs give her the power to call the shots with the Congress - without her support, the UPA would collapse - and she has held the government and its policies to hostage with increasing daring. She recently forced the UPA to suspend its reforms in retail - the increased Foreign Direct Investment in shops or chains that stock different brands was a move by the Prime Minister and his team to prove wrong allegations of policy paralysis.

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Over 100 govt websites hacked in three months

New Delhi:  A total of 112 government websites belonging to various state government agencies, Planning Commission and Finance Ministry were hacked in the three- month period ending February 2012, Parliament was informed today.

"During the period December 2011 to February 2012, a total number of 112 government websites were hacked," Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

These hacked websites belonged to the agencies in the government of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and Manipur, he added.

It also included agencies of Ministry of Finance, Health, Planning Commission and Humar Resource Development.

The website of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd was hacked on December 4, 2011 by the 'H4tr!ck' hacker group, Mr Pilot said.

The Minister added that the number of Internet frauds involving Rs 1 lakh and above have declined over the last three years from 269 cases in 2009 to 125 cases in 2011.

"However, after taking into account the Internet frauds wherein the amount involved in individual cases is less than Rs 1 lakh, the total number of Internet frauds were 864 involving Rs 824.05 lakh, 2,232 cases involving Rs 1,234.94 lakh and 1,798 cases involving Rs 787.39 lakh for the calendar year 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively," he said.

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Highlights - No clue why my party reacted this way: Dinesh Trivedi to NDTV

New Delhi:  Dinesh Trivedi to NDTV after his party attacked the hike in fares for rail passengers announced by him today. His party chief, Mamata Banerjee said today that she will not accept this hike in fares. I will try and convince her, Mr Trivedi responded.  Here are the highlights of Mr Trivedi's interview: 
Not upset at all...am very happy with my budgetMPs across party lines have congratulated meGeneral feeling is very good budgetI have done my duty to the best of my abilityYou can't put on a brave face if you are not braveCountry comes first for me, then family and the restWhether A and B has tweeted, that's not my concern (dig at Derek O'Brien from his party who tweeted that the fare hike is not acceptable to Trinamool Congress)Where is the money for safety?  I don't want to compromise on safety.  Parliament is in session.  Cannot make any comments which will relate to policy decision (on whether rollback is likely)To be fair to Mamata Banerjee, she has never interfered with my work. And I respect her for that.Did not consult my party about railway budget.Did not consult Mamata about fare hikeI don't need to consult anybody.  It is left to Railways Minister to decide what needs to be done.Have no clue, don't know why party has reacted in this way  I am not here to keep my chair at any cost...no. I don't care about my jobBhagat Singh went to gallows for the country...what is a job? It is nothing.  It is not permanentIf my leader tells me to resign, I will do so.  After all, she has put me here.  You can be good friends and also differ.  I can respect Mamata and also differ with her.I am absolutely a free bird today...if I had not done my duty, I would feel guiltWill leave it to people to decide what is right or wrong. This is a democracy

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Never thought Kahaani would be a success: Sujoy Ghosh

By Hindustan Times

What was Sujoy Ghosh doing on the streets of Kolkata, exactly three days after his film Kahaani's release? No, he was not looking for his next story plot. Ghosh was in Kolkata to watch Kahaani with his fans, who by his own admission, don't even recognise him. "I bought the ticket, and watched the film with my fans. I was thrilled with the response. Of course, they don't recognise me, I'm not that famous. But I enjoyed the experience to the core."

The director is still in Kahaani mode. Thoughts of making his next are far away. All he wants at this point is soak in the praise he's getting from all quarters. That's probably why when I mentioned that I liked the film, Sujoy was overjoyed. I was still reeling under the impact of this suspense film when I gave him a call. He addressed me as Paromita. It reminded me of Vidya Bagchi getting frustrated over Kolkata folks calling him Bidiya. She eventually accepts the fact that she's Bidiya for Bengalis. I don't mind being called Paromita, instead of Parmita by Sujoy, who's a typical Bengali babu. We go on to discuss his life post Kahaani.

Did he thank the main character of his film, the city of Kolkata for the film? "I'm too small to thank Kolkata. I'm just grateful for what I have got. Frankly, I take it (Kolkata) for granted," says the ecstatic Sujoy.

Sujoy admits he was nervuos, when he was going through the first review of Kahaani, but says he's realised that critics at the end of the day are also audience.

"Everybody is an audience including critics. If the film is good, they would also like it," says Sujoy who got a brilliant reception from movie critics across the country.

Not just the viewers, congratulatory messages are pouring in for this four-film old director, from industry veterans. One call that bowled him over was from evergreen beauty Rekha. "I almost had a heart attack when she called me. She said, the film was good."

Ghosh who debuted with critically acclaimed Jhankaar Beats (2003), went on to direct Home Delivery (2005) and Aladdin (2009). But it's only after Kahaani, that he's got his due.

Filmmakers often wish, pray, and hope for their film's success. But Sujoy's 'Kahaani' is different. Now that the film's business is showing an upward trend over Saturday and Sunday, (it has collected Rs 13.83 crore net), after a slow start, Sujoy says he was not at all expecting the film's commercial success. "My intention was to make a film and play with the script beautifully, I never thought about the commercial aspect."

Will Vidya Balan's National Award win help the film's prospect at box office? "Whatever helps to sell the movie," says Sujoy enthusiastically. On a more serious note, he adds, "But it's ultimately the film's script and the word of mouth that will ensure success for the movie."

In case, you are thinking, Sujoy Ghosh is already eyeing National Award, you cannot be more wrong. "It's too early to think about awards, I don't plan that much."

As I wrap up the interview the director quips: "But do tell your friends to watch the movie and spread the word around." Certainly, but on a condition, that he'll keep directing entertaining movies like Kahaani. "That's a promise," he signs off.

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Sazahn Padamsee: 'Love being part of the dirty dozen'

By Hindustan Times

Mumbai, March 13 -- Sazahn Padamsee is newbie and the youngest in the cast of Housefull 2, which as 12 major characers. Glad to be part of this big project, she admits that just being in Sajid Khan's film with big stars is enough for her.

"Getting a chance to work with such stalwarts of the industry is great exposure for me as a newcomer. It is such an amazing feeling to be on the poster with the others as I am a junior," says Shazahn, claiming that she is "banking on the film". "I am focused on doing substantial work and waiting for something good to come my way. I have always chosen great banners and talented people to work with. I want to continue doing quality over quantity," she states.

Among various experiences while shooting, Shazahn ended up celebrating a memorable birthday on the sets of the film. She was in for a huge surprise when "the whole Dirty Dozen gang sang 'Happy birthday' for me. They got me a three-kilo white chocolate cake with blue icing, which is my favourite. This gesture completely bowled me over. I felt pampered and loved," she beams.

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Bollywood gears up for 400 crore summer!

By Hindustan Times

Bollywood hopes to have a super summer ahead. Thirty big and small budget films with a total of Rs 400 crore riding on them are bracing for release between April and June, and analysts say the business looks good.

The lineup includes big banner babies such as Sajid Khan’s Housefull 2, Kunal Kohli’s Teri Meri Kahani, Priyadarshan’s Tezz, Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Ferrarri Ki Sawaari, Kunal Deshmukh’s Jannat 2, Vikram Bhatt’s Dangerous Ishq, Ram Gopal Varma’s Department, Dibakar Banerjee’s Shanghai and Prabhu Deva’s Rowdy Rathore.

“It’s a very promising lineup, with Rs 400 crore at stake. Bollywood is expected to do great business this quarter,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Trade expert Atul Mohan says, “This is a trend that’s come up recently — this quarter of the year is seeing a lot at stake as loads of good films release after the exams are over.” The first quarter (Jan-March) may have seen films such as Agneepath, Kahaani and Paan Singh Tomar faring well, but the overall business has been average.

The period will also see small budget films such as Vicky Donor, Zila Ghaziabad and Maximum take the big ticket ones head on. “It’s a good time as the exams are over and everyone wants to chill,” says Maximum actor-producer Sonu Sood.

He adds that IPL, scheduled around the same time, is also not on everyone’s mind. Trade analyst Komal Nahta says, “The competition is healthy as there are films of all kinds.” Critics say it’s a great time for viewers, too. “There is lot of variety, which makes the season ahead exciting,” says critic-writer Anupama Chopra.

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Who is Dinesh Trivedi?

New Delhi/Kolkata:  The spiraldown from Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's trusted pointsman in New Delhi to party outcast took Dinesh Trivedi but some months as Railway Minister and a bold rail budget.

A trained pilot and an articulate, suave and widely travelled politician, Mr Trivedi landed in trouble after he announced a hike in passenger fares in his first rail budget. The hike he announced today was nominal, but Ms Banerjee is said to be "deeply upset" and has said it is unacceptable. Trinamool leaders said it is against the party's DNA.

And late on Wednesday night, sources said, he sent in his resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who will forward it to the President. That came after Mr Trivedi's party chief, Mamata Banerjee, wrote to the PM asking for Mr Trivedi to be fired as Railways Minister. Ms Banerjee is punishing Mr Trivedi for announcing a nominal hike in train passenger fares in his budget.

Mr Trivedi's removal will make political history - this is the first time that a minister will be removed even before Parliament debates his budget. J&K chief minister and UPA ally Omar Abdullah, tweeted on Thursday morning, "Long after other #railway ministers are forgotten #DineshTriwedi will still be an answer to a General Knowledge or Entrance test question."

Mr Trivedi, who comes from a business family, thought otherwise. For him it was more important for the railways to mop up internal resources and make the ailing behemoth healthy and increase its safety and security levels in the interest of the passengers. And despite the loud demands from his party for a roll-back of the fare hikes, and subtle suggestions that he put in his papers, Trivedi quietly defended his budget.

Trinamool leaders point out that though the 61-year-old Trivedi played a crucial role in maintaining the party's liaison with national political leaders for years, he was not Ms Banerjee's first choice as railway minister after she demitted office on becoming West Bengal chief minister last May. She had then handpicked her close aide, Mukul Roy, for the post, but it was said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh intervened and made it clear he disapproved of her choice. It was then that Ms Banerjee reportedly opted for Mr Trivedi, who had been serving as minister of state for health since emerging victorious from the Barrackpore constituency in North 24 Parganas district in the May, 2009 Lok Sabha polls.

Mr Trivedi, known for filing public suits, stepped into Banerjee's office at the Rail Bhavan last June. A couple of months before that, he had reportedly offered to resign as minister of state for health and family welfare in support of social activist Anna Hazare and his movement against corruption.

The elevation to cabinet rank in the plum railway ministry was considered a feather in the cap for Mr Trivedi, an MBA from Texas, who had worked hard during the Trinamool's troubled times for the better part of the 1990s and most part of the next decade.

Mr Trivedi is a commerce graduate from Kolkata's famous St. Xavier's College and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. He was in the travel business before he joined politics. He started his career as a Congressman, who switched over to the V.P. Singh-led Janata Dal. He first entered Parliament as a Rajya Sabha member in 1990 and remained in the Upper House till 2008.

(With IANS inputs)

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Akhilesh Yadav to be sworn in as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister today

Lucknow:  Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav is set to take oath as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh today for the first time, after his party gained absolute majority by winning 224 seats in the 403-member Assembly.

38-year-old Akhilesh will be the state's youngest chief minister and his Cabinet is likely to be a mix of youth and experience.

He, however, will have his task cut out fulfilling the long list of promises made by his party in its poll manifesto.

Samajwadi Party had announced a slew of poll sops, including providing laptops to intermediate pass students, tablet computers to high-school pass outs, allowance to unemployed youths, free treatment to patients suffering from serious ailments and loan waivers for farmers.

Akhilesh will also have to take a call on constituting a commission for taking legal opinion on providing reservation to Muslims and implementing recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission and the Sachar Committee.

The SP leader has said improving law and order situation and rooting out corruption in the state are among his top priorities.

Besides, restoration of student unions in universities and colleges will also be a challenge for him.

Even before taking the reins of the state, the party is under attack from Opposition parties, including outgoing Chief Minister Mayawati, who has alleged that the law and order situation had deteriorated following declaration of poll results in favour of SP.

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Congress now reaching out to Samajwadi Party?

New Delhi:  The Congress is facing a tough time because of its allies. Both Trinamool and the DMK are squeezing the Congress with their own agendas.

While Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool wants roll back on train fares and deletion of reference to the National Counter Terrorism Centre from the President's speech, the DMK is demanding that the government should make its stand clear on Sri Lanka.

At a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister the day before, Ms Banerjee was missing - she chose to fly to Nagpur instead to attend a wedding. The fact that she deputed a first-time MP, Ratna De Nag, and not one of her senior ministers or leaders was seen as a flat snub to the Congress. Similarly, The DMK, which is a senior partner in the coalition at the Centre, has reiterated that it could pull out of the government if its demand is ignored.

"That's something I alone can't decide. We would discuss and decide in our executive," said DMK chief M Karunanidhi.

After being put in a tight corner by its allies, the Congress has decided to accelerate its courtship of Mulayam Singh Yadav as a possible replacement for Ms Banerjee, who has whipped the government into submission on many occasions because her 19 Lok Sabha MPs make her essential to the survival of the coalition. Mr Yadav's 22 MPs make him a viable option and he has often rescued the government by voting in its favour on crucial legislation. So, senior Congress leaders like Pawan Bansal and Motilal Vora will attend the swearing-in today of his son, Akhilesh, as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

So what are the possible scenarios facing the Congress which has been pushed to the wall. If the government rolls back the fare hike, it manages to survive; if there is no roll back, the Trinamool and a united Opposition will vote against the government. And if Trinamool quits, the Congress is banking on the support of the Samajwadi Party from outside.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav is set to take oath as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh today for the first time, after his party gained absolute majority by winning 224 seats in the 403-member Assembly. Thirty-eight-year-old Akhilesh will be the state's youngest chief minister and his Cabinet is likely to be a mix of youth and experience.

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