Veena Malik goes missing in Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 17 (IANS) Controversial Pakistani actress and model Veena Malik has gone missing in Mumbai since Friday morning, her manager said here Saturday.
Shooting for a Bollywood flick, 'Mumbai 125 kilometres', at Film City in Goregaon of northwest Mumbai, Malik left in a car after pack-up Friday morning and was not reachable since.
'Veena left after the pack-up yesterday (Friday) morning. In the afternoon, I received an SMS from her where she apologised for not being able to concentrate on the shooting, stating that she was disturbed,' the film's director Hemant Madhukar said.
'I called her immediately, but her number was not reachable. I have not been able to get in touch with her since,' he added.

Malik's manager Pratik Mehta also confirmed the development. 'I have been trying to reach her since yesterday, but have failed. I have approached the officials at Bandra police station and have sought help in finding the whereabouts of Veena.'
However, the Bandra police denied they have registered a missing person's complaint for Veena Malik.
Malik came into limelight in 2010 after she testified against her boyfriend, Pakistani fast bowler Mohammed Asif alleging that he was involved in match fixing.
She then garnered more attention after she participated in the fourth season of reality show 'Bigg Boss'.
She has also been condemned by Islamic clerics for her nude photos in an Indian magazine.
The actress is set to have her 'swayamvar' on India's national television, through Imagine TV, which has earlier hosted swayamvars of Rakhi Sawant, Rahul Mahajan and Ratan Rajput.
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IB harassing my kin, not violated any rule: Arvind Kejriwal

Anna Hazare's aide Arvind Kejriwal, who has been issued an Income Tax notice to pay Rs 9 lakh as dues during his service in the government till 2006, on Friday said he had not violated any rules and the official claims were baseless.

"I have not violated any rule. In 2006, when I had resigned from the service, I had written to the government to deduct my dues from my general provident fund (GPF)," Kejriwal told reporters.

However, the government did not deduct the dues and instead served him a notice after four years and just before Hazare began his fast for a stronger Lokpal Bill, he said.

Kejriwal alleged that his uncle and other relatives in Siwani in Haryana were probed and harassed by officials of the Intelligence Bureau and other agencies. Officials were asking people to give information about any irregularity by him or relatives, he added.

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Anna will break fast on sunday

NEW DELHI: Today at ramlila maidan a huge crowed  have been seen. Bollywood actor Amir Khan came to support Anna Hazare by his presence. As kumar Viswas described him as the biggest hero, Amir said that he is not the biggest hero, Anna (Hazare) is the real hero. He pledged support to the activist's fight for a strong anti-corruption law.

Khan requested the 74-year-old activist to break his fast as all needed him for leading as the countrymen in further struggle.

He tried to entertain Hazare's supporters by singing "Mitwaa..." from his superhit movie 'Lagaan',
After 12 days of fasting at the end of 12^th day Anna and Anna supporters got victory against corruption. On  Sunday Anna Hazare will break his fast, a Team Anna member said but it would be possible after 10 a.m. "It is not possible for Anna to break his fast today (Saturday).

"Annaji will make this announcement after he receives the copy of the resolution that will be passed by parliament," the member said.

The government has agreed to adopt by a voice vote the resolution on corruption and the Lokpal bill following the debate at a special session of parliament called on a weekend.

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Team Anna says they are victim of internal politics of Congress

NEW DELHI:As Anna Hazare’s fast entered the 10th day on Thursday, his team accused “some strong elements” in the government of nullifying the entire dialogue process and said they have become victims of Congress’ “internal politics”.

Stating that they were ready to hold talks in a “honest and sincere manner”, Team Anna alleged that home minister P Chidambaram and HRD minister Kapil Sibal were taking a strong stand forcing the government not to enter into a compromise with them on the Lokpal Bill.

“It appears that there are some strong elements in the government who want to nullify the entire dialogue process… We were told that in CCPA, especially Chidambaram and Sibal, were completely opposed to any kind of agreement or any kind of dialogue,” activist Arvind Kejriwal told reporters here.

“We are becoming victims of Congress’ internal politics. Day before yesterday, the talks were positive, but in the CCPA meeting, Salman Khurshid told us that there was a lot of fighting. Chidambaram and Sibal said there should be no dialogue with us and we should be tackled with a tough hand,” he alleged.

The accusation came after late night talks between two sides ended in a deadlock with both sides failing to resolve the key issues, prompting the civil society to declare that they were “back to square one”.

Kejriwal said if the CCPA and government can “ignore” the views of a senior leader like finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, the chief government negotiator, then the question is that whom should they talk to?

“We will talk to the government,” another Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan said.. PTI

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End fast, will debate Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament: PM's offer

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saluted the idealism of fasting social activist Anna Hazare in a televised speech to Parliament on Thursday in which he urged him to end his hunger strike. Standing committee will consider all options including Jan Lokpal Bill, he said. "He has become the embodiment of our people's disgust and concern about tackling corruption," Singh said of the ailing 74-year-old, whose populist campaign has put intense pressure on the government.

"I respect his idealism. I respect him as an individual... I applaud him. I salute him."

But Singh asked all MPs to unite in requesting Hazare to halt his fast for stronger anti-corruption legislation.

"He has made his point," the prime minister said. "His life is much too precious."

Singh's public and emotional appeal came as talks between Hazare's aides and the government appeared deadlocked, and amid mounting concerns over the campaigner's health as he entered the tenth day of his fast.

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In pictures: Anna's journey from Tihar Jail to Ramlila Maidan

Civil society activist Anna Hazare said on Friday that he would not leave the Ramlila ground till the demand for a stronger anti-corruption Lokpal bill was met.

"We will not leave this place till the (stronger) Lokpal bill is passed," Hazare told crowds soon after reaching Ramlila ground in central Delhi where he will continue his fast.

Calling upon the youth to be the flag bearers of change, Hazare said they should carry forward the torch of revolution even if he were not there.

"The power of youth is the power of the nation, whether or not Anna Hazare is there or not. This torch of revolution should always remain lit," he said.

The activist reached the Ramlila ground around 2 p.m., after visiting Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat and India Gate. .

We bring to you latest pictures of the historic movement that has swept across the city and the nation and continues to grow unabated.

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Anna Hazare Vs Corruption

NEW DELHI: Protests against corruption spread across the nation on Wednesday in support of Gandhian Anna Hazare. Anna Hazare and the Delhi Police are in conference over the number of days for a protest fast that social activist wants to hold in the capital. Delhi Police have agreed to most of the conditions for Team Anna to hold their fast, the police had not agreed to the one month the activists wanted. The police said the fast could be held for seven days, and was extendable. But Anna Hazare and team did not agree to the decision, Anna started fast-unto-death in Tihar Jail. Thousands of Anna supporters on Wednesday also took out a march from India Gate to Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with the Gandhian in his fight against corruption.

Protesters, some of them dressed in T-shirts and Gandhi caps with slogans "I am Anna", gathered at the war memorial at around 4 pm and began marching towards Jantar Mantar, where Hazare had sat on a fast in April which forced the government to expedite the introduction of the Lokpal Bill in Parliament.

In the IT hub of Hyderabad, lawyers boycotted courts, students skipped class and hundreds took to the streets.
Across Andhra Pradesh, a Congress party stronghold, thousands went on snap fasts, staged sit-ins, blocked roads and formed human chains.

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Trisha, Madhavan protest arrest of Anna Hazare

The latest developments in New Delhi regarding the detention of civil society activists like Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi have outraged Trisha and Madhavan, who have debunked the action of the police on the micro blogging site, Twitter.

Trisha (id: trishtrashers) has described August 16 as a sad and disillusioning day for India.  Some time back, via her Blackberry, she had questioned the wisdom behind the arresting of a man (Hazare) who only "wants peace for this nation."

R Madhavan (id: actormadhavan)has put forward an intellectual criticism.  He tweeted, "Is the Govt afraid, that like the right to Info bill, passing the Lok Pal too may come back to bite them in their posterior."  In another tweet, he said, "Why is the Supreme Court quiet on this blatant breach of Anna Hazare's right to peaceful protest?"

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City no stranger to section 144 of CrPC

VARANASI: Many city residents were surprised at Delhi police's 'overboard drive' to highlight the issue of enforcing prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in a specific area to restrict anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare from beginning his hunger strike at JP Park.

The district administration of Varanasi, which is a highly sensitive city, keeps such orders promulgating round the year.

When TOI tried to take stock of the records of the district administration of last the 12 months, it was found that the section 144 enforced in the district on July 16, 2010, continued till September 3, 2010. After it, the prohibitory orders were enforced again from September 4, 2010, to October 30, 2010.

Again on November 1, 2010, this order became effective in the district till December 26. On the very next day, the same order was made effective till February 21.
The prohibitory orders became effective again on February 22 and continued till April 15.
On April 16, the district administration promulgated section 144 and it continued till June 12. The same orders were made effective from June 13 till August 5, and against from August 6 till September 25.

In the latest prohibitory orders issued under section 144 by the ADM (city) M P Singh, it was mentioned, "In festivals like Janmashtami, Eid, Vishwakarma Puja, exams at different institutions, programmes by political and religious organisations, anti-social and mischievous elements could cause disturbance. To check the activities of such elements in order to maintain law and order and peace, enforcing prohibitory orders is a must."

As per this order, moving with arms and ammunition especially at public places, distribution of hand bills to cause disturbance, forcing closure of shops, use of loud speakers, storage of explosives and materials for destruction, gathering of five or more persons at a place, disturbing traffic, operating photocopy machines near any examination centre and some other activities are prohibited.

In case of violation of these orders, action under section 188 of the IPC was prescribed in the order issued by the city ADM.

The content in almost all the orders issued for promulgating section 144 in the district remains the same.

But this order is mainly followed by those organisations which hold any sit-in stir or demonstration or those who execute their plan after seeking permission from the district administration only.

However, the orders prohibiting people from carrying arms and ammunition at public places and use of loud speakers are often violated in the city.

When some police officials were contacted to know what action has been taken under section 188 in case of violation of the orders issued under section 144, no cop was able to give a proper reply.

The senior officials surely mentioned that initiating action under section 151 (breech of peace) was more convenient for the police in case of such violations due to typical technicalities of section 188.

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Police allow Anna 7 days protest at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan

The Delhi Police have given Anna Hazare seven days to protest at Ramlila ground. According to media reports, the police is also to extend time period to more than seven days later on.  Earlier on Wednesday, noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan, a member Anna Hazare's anti-coruption

campaign team, on Wednesday told the government that Anna will come out of jail only if allowed to fast without conditions.

Anna Hazare and his team were in discussions with government and police over the venue of his fast after he comes out of Tihar Jail. According to latest media reports, government may allow Ramlila Maidan as venue for Anna's protest after he comes out of jail.

Speaking to supporters after meeting Hazare, lawyer Prashant Bhushan told the crowd of supporters outside the jail that the Gandhian would come out only if he is allowed to fast without conditions.

Bhushan said government and police were discussing with Hazare and his aides options of fast venue -- JP Park or Ramlila Maidan -- where he could launch his fight for a strong lokpal.

He said if conditions are imposed, then Hazare will continue with his fast inside the jail. He also told the crowd that people of Delhi have been asked to come to India Gate for a march to Jantar Mantar in support of a strong lokpal and fight against corruption.

Hazare had earlier sought permission from Tihar Jail authorities for a meeting with some of his top associates to plan his strategy.

The meeting was attended by Bhushan, Kiran Bedi, Medha Patkar, Manish Sisodia and Swami Agnivesh. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ashok Chand was also present at the meeting.

Hazare also met Sri Sri Ravishankar and yoga guru Ramdev in the prison.

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Defiant Anna rejects freedom offer, sticks to his demands

New Delhi Refusing to come out of Tihar Jail, Anna Hazare today continued his fast for the second consecutive day as the government was caught in a cleft as to how to deal with the embarrassing stand-off.

The 73-year-old Gandhian, who was ordered to be released yesterday after being remanded in 7-day judicial custody, spent the night in the administrative block of the jail along with his associate Arvind Kejriwal.

Hundreds of people continued their vigil outside the jail premises as Hazare made it clear that he would come out of the prison only if he is given permission to stage the indefinite fast at the Jai Prakash Narain Park, the original planned venue for the hunger strike.

Hazare, who was picked up by Delhi Police from a flat in Mayur Vihar in east Delhi yesterday morning, got up at around 5 am and was involved in a discussion with Kejriwal and his other associates, sources said.

Hazare was offered released last night after the Delhi Police issued warrants of release for him and seven of his associates, almost 13 hours after they were detained.

Hazare's aide Manish Sisodia, who came out of the jail last night, said though the Gandhian was given bail he did not agree to the terms and conditions imposed by authorities.

"He does not want them (police) to arrest him the moment he begins his fast at a location of his choice," he told reporters outside the jail this morning.

"We don't have any information on when he will come out," he said.

The activist said other members of Team Anna – Prashant Bhushan, Kiran Bedi and Swami Agnivesh – will assemble outside Tihar Jail at 11 am and hold a protest.

"What we wanted to do in JP Park, we have decided to do here only. Tihar Jail main gate will be the main centre for our movement," he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress Core Group is meeting at 10 am to discuss the government strategy on the issue.

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Crowds outside Tihar Jail wait for Anna’s appearance

 

PTISupporters of social activist Anna Hazare protest at the gate of Tihar Jail in New Delhi on Wednesday. )

There was a sense of anticipation outside Tihar Central Jail here on Wednesday afternoon where hundreds of Anna Hazare’s supporters had gathered early, waiting for the anti-corruption crusader and his associates to come out.

The crowds gathered outside the gate of the Director General (Prisons) office shouted slogans, waved the national flag and demanded the passing of the Jan Lokpal Bill. Several banners conveyed the anger felt by the supporters of Mr. Hazare, especially towards the manner in which he was picked up from Mayur Vihar on Tuesday morning.

Members of civil society including Prashant Bhushan, Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh and Akhil Gogoi besides Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar visited Tihar Jail to rally support for Anna.

Prashant Bhushan said Anna will continue his sit-in protest inside the jail premises until he was allowed to “sit on a fast unconditionally” at Jayaprakash Park or at some other venue. “Thereafter, we are ready for any discussion with the Government. But before that it is not possible,” Mr. Bhushan said.

Meanwhile, indications of some understanding being reached with the authorities gave hope to people. In the afternoon, Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also reached the venue to express solidarity with Mr. Hazare’s cause even as his fast entered the second day on Wednesday.

Mr. Hazare’s aide Manish Sisodia told mediapersons on Tuesday night following his release from jail that the Ghandian had been fasting since the time of his arrest from Mayur Vihar.

Several sections of the protestors including auto-rickshaw drivers and lawyers have struck work to express their solidarity with Mr. Hazare.

Lawyers have reportedly abstained from appearing in all six district courts in the capital protesting against the non-inclusion of the judiciary in the Lok Pal Bill and the “illegal” arrest of Mr. Hazare.

A large crowd also gathered outside Chhathrasal Stadium near Model Town on Wednesday afternoon.

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