A look at the headlines today:
1. SC to pronounce verdict on Chidambaram's bail plea in INX Media corruption case
The Supreme Court is scheduled today to pronounce judgment on former finance minister P. Chidambaram's plea challenging the Delhi High Court verdict denying him bail in the INX Media corruption case. Chidambaram was arrested in connection with the graft case on August 21 by the CBI, which has recently chargesheeted him and others, including his son Karti and some bureaucrats, for causing loss to the exchequer by allegedly committing offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code. Chidambaram is presently in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the INX Media money laundering case. The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 alleging irregularities in a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to INX Media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007, during Chidambaram's tenure as the finance minister.
2. ED custody of HDIL's Wadhawans ends
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of HDIL promoters Rakesh Wadhawan and his son Sarang, arrested in connection with the Rs 4,355 crore Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank scam, will end today. The duo had been arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police in connection with the case earlier this month. The ED case under the PMLA is based on an FIR filed by the EWO of Mumbai Police. The EOW earlier this month registered a case against the Wadhawans and top officials of the PMC Bank for allegedly causing losses to the tune of Rs 4,355.43 crore to the bank. The EOW alleged that the bank management, in cahoots with the Wadhawans, concealed from the banking regulators' scrutiny huge loan defaults by the HDIL group firms.
3. Manipur CM convenes for all-party meeting on Naga issue
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has called for an all-party meeting today to discuss the Naga peace talk and its impact on Manipur. The meeting was called three days after the Interlocutor for the Naga talks and Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi said that the Central government is determined to conclude the decades-long peace process without delay. In a statement, Ravi had said on October 18 that a mutually agreed draft comprehensive settlement, including all the substantive issues and competencies, is ready for inking the final agreement. The Manipur CM's secretariat on Monday announced that the chief minister has called for an all-party meeting on Tuesday at 4 pm. A meeting of all the legislators of BJP led coalition government in Manipur was held on Sunday to discuss the possible outcome of Naga peace talk and its impact on Manipur.
4. Nobel winner Abhijit Banerjee to reach India today; could meet with PM Modi today
Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee will reach his paternal home in the city today to visit his 83-year-old mother after winning the global award. Reports claimed he could meet with PM Narendra Modi today. Banerjee will be in the city for two days and his mother Nirmala Banerjee, an economist in her own right, is busy overseeing the last minute preparations to welcome him. She said she is personally preparing the room where her elder son will stay at their home in an apartment. Banerjee, who wasd declared to be winner of the Nobel Prize on October 14, is now in New Delhi. He will be at his home on October 23 and leave for the US early next morning, a family member said. Nirmala Banerjee told reporters that she would be preparing fish items for food to welcome her Nobel laureate son. "He loves fish and eats fish items whenever he is in Kolkata. I will prepare Katla fish curry and other fish items and some sweet dish," she said.
5. Congress hearing on human rights situation in South Asia, including Kashmir, today
An American Congressional sub-committee will hold a hearing on the human rights situation in South Asia, including Kashmir, on Tuesday with top officials from the state department and experts on the region. The hearing will be convened by Congressman Brad Sherman, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Titled 'Human Rights in South Asia: Views from the State Department and the Region', Sherman said, the hearing will focus on the situation in Kashmir, the condition of Tamils in Sri Lanka, and human rights in Pakistan, focusing on Sindh Province. The second panel, scheduled in the afternoon, would comprise journalist Aarti Tikoo Singh, activist Fatima Gul Sindhi, associate professor in politics and international relations at the University of Westminster Nitasha Kaul. Co-chair Political Conflict, Gender and People's Rights Initiative Research Anthropologist, Center for Race and Gender, Angana Chatterji, who has been critical of Indian policies in the past, and Asia Pacific Advocacy Manager Amnesty International Francisco Bencosme will testify before the Congressional sub-committee.
6. Bank strike today to affect services
Banking services across the country are likely to be partially disrupted today as two bank unions will go on a 24-hour strike on the day. The strike has been called by All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) and the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) to protest against recent bank mergers, falling deposit rates and issues of job security. The Reserve Bank of India and State Bank of India will, however, not participate in the strike, sources in them said. Regional Rural Banks and cooperatives banks will also not participate in the strike as mergers do not affect them,
sources said. Striking unions said they will shut ATMs as these will be under the strike ambit.
7. ISL: Jamshedpur FC to face Odisha today
Heading into their third Hero Indian Super League season, Jamshedpur FC will look for a winning start to their campaign against Odisha FC today. Jamshedpur have had two head coaches in the last two seasons and both of them employed their own style of play at the club. Now as Spaniard Antonio Iriondo takes over, supporters can expect an attacking philosophy. "We will try to defend when they attack us. But our goal is we would love to have the ball more in 90 minutes than our opposition. For us, the most important thing is to make our fans happy with our style of play," said Iriondo. Jamshedpur also had departures to deal with as Spanish duo Mario Arques and Sergio Cidoncha joined Kerala Blasters FC. Josep Gombau's Delhi Dynamos only managed an eighth-placed finish but his team had a certain vigour and excitement packed into the football they played. Delhi Dynamos have now moved to Bhubaneshwar and have rebranded themselves as Odisha FC. Gombau will be looking to continue his project with the young squad at his disposal to deliver better results on the pitch. Delhi's star winger Lallianzuala Chhangte has left for Chennaiyin FC but the presence of Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Jerry Mawhmingthanga and Nandhakumar Sekar in the forward line will help Odisha pose a threat on the break.
-Inputs from PTI
