
CBI wants to torture Rajkumar: Counsel
Casting doubts over the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the counsel of Rajkumar Sharma, an accused in Aarushi-Hemraj murder case, on Saturday filed an application at a Ghaziabad court and levied allegations that the agency could conspire, torture and show false-recovery in the case.
Naresh Yadav, the counsel, claimed he received a call from CBI officials telling him to call Sharma from Nepal for further investigations. Rajkumar was the domestic help of the Durranis who are family friends of the Talwars.
When contacted, CBI spokesperson Harsh Bhatia said, “I can’t comment on this issue as investigations are underway.”
It is to be noted that the intelligence agency has till date failed to file a chargesheet in the Noida double murder case. It had also subjected Sharma to polygraphic, narco and other scientific tests but could not show the recovery of weapons and evidence from the accused. On this basis the court had granted bail to Sharma on September 12, 2008.
Sharma, who arrived from Nepal on Friday, said that he is willing to cooperate in ongoing CBI investigations. “I have already been tortured mentally and physically by the CBI during the remand period,” Sharma told Hindustan Times.
He also complained of acute hearing and breathlessness while cycling, but could not medically substantiate it.
This as per him had occurred due to scientific-tests conducted on him.

Jayalalithaa’s residence: Madras HC allows state to hold event on January 28
- Even though the case was posted for February 4, the court heard the case on Wednesday based on the request of the former Tamil Nadu CM's family.

Fix timeline for judicial appointments, says SC
- An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde said that all endeavours should be made to ensure appointments come through in a time-bound manner.

TMC rigged the 2018 panchayat polls, alleges Suvendu Adhikari
- The TMC, however, has hit back calling it the height of hypocrisy and refuting the charges as baseless allegations.

Cracks in stir after mayhem; farmers call off Feb 1 march
- Leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the platform of farm unions leading the protests, on Wednesday apologised for the violent events in Delhi that have dented the credibility of the movement.

India, France to sign two agreements during French minister's 5-day visit
- Singh and Pompili will preside over the signing of a letter of intent between the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the French Development Agency (AFD) for developing a floating solar plant of up to 150 MW.

Twitter suspends at least 500 accounts for ‘spam, manipulation’

Govt indicates offer to farmers still on table, channel for talks kept open

Punjab villages sombre after clash, still back stir

Covaxin effective on UK virus strain of Covid-19, says ICMR

Mamata Banerjee to meet select TMC leaders amid dissent among section of MLAs
- Mamata Banerjee has recently appointed coordinators for the five assembly constituencies in East Midnapore district, the home turf of former TMC stalwart Suvendu Adhikari who joined the BJP on December 19.

MHA issues Covid-19 rules, to be followed from Feb 1: All you need to know

Jagan Reddy announces cash incentives for unanimous polls to gram panchayats
- As part of the strategy, the Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday issued an order announcing hefty cash incentives to be given to gram panchayats where sarpanches and ward members are elected unanimously without any contest.

PM Modi to address World Economic Forum's Davos Agenda Summit tomorrow

Rajnath Singh speaks to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin
- The defence ministry said Rajnath Singh received an "introductory telephone call" from the newly-appointed US Secretary of Defence Austin and that the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work together to strengthen defence cooperation and the strategic partnership between the two countries.
