0815 HRS
12th March, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Italian government says it will not send back two of its marines, facing trial in India for killing two fishermen.
• Cabinet to take up Criminal Law Amendment Bill today to ensure tougher punishment for rapists.
• US warns Pakistan to face sanctions, if it aligns with Iran in constructing gas pipeline project.
• India to clash with Pakistan in their third round-robin match of Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament in Malaysia.
• Swiss Open Badminton tournament kicks off in Basel.

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Two Italian marines, facing trial in India for killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast and recently granted permission to go home, will not return to India. The Italian ambassador in New Delhi, Daniele Mancini, has  delivered a note verbale to the external affairs ministry in this regard. The Ministry of External Affairs said, it received a communication from Italy late last night which it would examine carefully.

Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, charged with homicide for killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February last year after mistaking them for pirates, were permitted by the Supreme Court to go to Italy for four weeks to vote in last month’s election. Earlier, the duo were allowed to go home during Christmas. However, they returned to India on the expiry of their leave.

In a surprise development, the Italian foreign ministry accused the Indian authorities of violating international rights by detaining the marines and said it was open to let an international arbitrator assess the case. Italy has argued that the marines should be tried in their home country.

On January 18th this year, the Apex court turned down the Italian government’s plea that the Indian courts had no jurisdiction in the case and held that the two marines should be tried in Delhi by a special court. The apex court had also asked the government to set up the special court for hearing of the case.

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A bill to amend criminal law to ensure tougher punishment for rapists will be placed before the Cabinet for its approval today. Talking to reporters in New Delhiyesterday, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said, the Bill will replace the ordinance that had been promulgated by the government last month with this objective. The Bill was placed before the Cabinet last week but had to be deferred. Mr. Shinde said there are no differences on the provisions in the new Bill.

"There are no differences between the Home Ministry and other ministries on the provisions of the bill. There are various legal points which need to be examined, but there are no doubts on these points".

The Bill introduces death penalty for rapists in cases where the victim dies as a result of rape or is left in a persistent vegetative state. Gangrape is to be punished by 20 years in prison, extendable up to life in prison. Similar punishment is provided for repeat offenders as well.

Last week, there was a difference in opinion within the Cabinet on whether the word 'rape' should be substituted with 'sexual assault' as had been done in the ordinance, and whether the age of consent for sex be reduced from the present 18 to 16 years.

The present Bill makes it mandatory to videograph the statement of the victim. The Bill will also make it mandatory for all government and private hospitals in the country to provide free medical treatment to women victims of any form of sexual violence.

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In the Punjab drug haul case, Olympian pugilist Vijender Singh, who was allegedly named by his friend, boxer Ram Singh in consuming heroin, has refused to give his blood and hair samples to police during his questioning at Panchkula, last evening. Our correspondent reports that the samples were required for forensic examination in this 130 crore rupee drug recovery by Punjab Police.      

"Two Punjab Police officers in coordination with Haryana Police questioned Vijender for more than three hours in Punchkula, last evening. Now the police would go to the court for obtaining hair and blood samples.

Meanwhile, questioning of history sheeter Paramjit Singh, who had been brought from Tihar jail to Punjab in connection with the case, is also on. He is said to be an important link to reach the kingpin of this international drug racket, Arjuna Awardee wrestler and dismissed cop of Punjab Police, Jagdish Bhola. A Look out Circular had already been issued against him alerting all airports, to nab the absconder. RAJESH BALI, AIR NEWS, JALANDHAR".

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The CBI has sought from the special court in Lucknow the custody of two close aides of MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh arrested by the state police in connection with the murder of DSP Zia-Ul-Haq.

CBI sources said the agency moved a plea before the special court seeking police remand of Rajeev Singh and Sanjay Singh alias Guddu Singh, arrested by the state police in connection with the Balipur violence.

The court is likely to decide the plea today. CBI has registered four cases pertaining to three murders in village Balipur on March 2nd and has booked Raghuraj Pratap Singh for one of the cases for murder.

The CBI has also released a telephone number 05341-2300006 and an e-mail id - spscu1del@cbi.gov.in, in seeking help from the public with regard to investigations into the triple murder. The probe agency has said that   it will ensure that the identity of anyone who provides any detail related to the cases will remain concealed.

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In the coal block allocation scam, CBI has  registered a fresh case against a Jharkhand company and carried out searches at its offices across the country. CBI sources in New Delhi said the agency had leveled allegations of criminal conspiracy and cheating against Jharkhand Ispat Pvt Limited, its chairman R.S. Rungta, MD R.C. Rungta and other directors.

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The US has warned Pakistan that if it goes ahead with the construction of a 7.5 billion US Dollar gas pipeline with Iran, sanctions will be imposed on it. The warning came in the wake of a section of the project inaugurated by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari along with his Iranian counterpart President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday. They inaugurated the much-delayed section of the gas pipeline saying the West has no right to block the project.

The US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters inWashington, if this project actually goes forward, then the Iran Sanctions Act would be triggered. She said, the US is also working very closely bilaterally to support alternative projects to provide Pakistan with the energy that it needs.

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The people of India appreciate the tribute paid by the people of Mauritius to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi in selecting March 12th, the day the Mahatma began the iconic Dandi March as the Independence Day of Mauritius. Stating this at the banquet in Port Louis last night, President Pranab Mukherjee conveyed greetings and good wishes of the government and people of India to the people of Mauritius.

"Both nations intuitively advocate a rule based architecture of global governance as a bulwark against common challenges such as threat of terrorism and tackling poverty. We are grateful for your support for India's rightful claim to permanent membership of the United Nation's Security Council".

Our correspondent reports that today President Mukherjee will be the chief guest at the 45th Independence Day celebrations of Mauritius.

"The closeness and special bond between the two countries is evident here inPort Louis as banners and posters welcoming President Pranab Mukherjee are displayed on the streets. Today President Mukherjee will also visit the World Heritage Site the Aapravasi Ghat where labourers from India first landed. India-Mauritius co-operation encompasses diverse areas of mutual interest including trade and investment, education, renewable energy, textiles, science and technology. Today at the delegation-level talks the two countries will discuss how to further enhance this co-operation. ALPANA  PANT SHARMA FROM PORT LOUIS,  MAURITIUS FOR AIR NEWS".

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"India will clash with Pakistan in their third round-robin match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament at Ipoh in Malaysia today. The match will begin at 3:35 PM (Indian Standard Time). India had lost both the matches played in the tournament so far and they will have to beat Pakistan today, if they wish to stay in the race for either of the top two slots. Top two teams at the end of the round-robin stage will play each other for the title.

The Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold Badminton tournament kicks off in Baseltoday. Olympian and defending champion Saina Nehwal, who has been given a top billing in the Women's Singles category, is leading the Indian contingent. P. Kashyap, Sourabh Verma, Srikanth K. and HS Prannoy will also be seen in action in the Men's Singles first round today. Saina Nehwal will begin her campaign tomorrow.

In an unprecedented move, Australia yesterday axed vice-captain Shane Watson and three other key players for the third Cricket Test against India, which will be played at Mohali from Thursday. All rounder Shane Watson, pacers James Pattinson and Mitchell Johnson, and batsman Usman Khawaja were dropped for failing to make a presentation on how to improve their personal as well as the team's performance, after the innings defeat in the second Test in Hyderabad. SAVVY HASAN KHAN, AIR NEWS".

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Newspaper Headlines

• Ram Singh, the main accused in the Delhi gangrape case, found hanging in Tihar, is the lead in almost all papers. 'Suicide or Murder?' asks the Times of India. 'Family alleges murder' writes the Tribune. 'Tihar struggles to explain the death - many questions still remain' says the Indian Express.
• Boxer Vijender Singh being questioned by Pubjab Police for his role in the recent drug seizure case figures prominently in many dailies. 'Vijender refuses to give blood and hair samples' reports the Tribune.
• Four Australian cricketers dropped from the third test for indiscipline makes front page news. Mail Today calls it 'bizarre axing', 'Oz players leave in a huff' writes the Pioneer.
• Kerala police securing Bitti Mohanty's custody for ten days is reported by Hindustan Times. 'Bitti to be taken to Rajasthan now' says the Asian Age.
• Urban voters in Karnataka giving a resounding victory to the opposition Congress in the local civic body polls yesterday, finds place in the Statesman and Hindustan Times.
• India getting 4 medals in the Asian Cycling Championships, including 2 silver, is reported on the sports page of the Pioneer.
• 'Car sales see sharpest fall in 12 years, skid 26% in Feb' informs the Hindu business line.
• 'Wrong number - Sims on fake identity' under that headline the Times of India writes that 2800 crore rupee penalty on telecom companies for 19 lakh fake sims'.
• Love your pet? Sure, we all do. Spa treatments - yes, once in a while. But a TV Channel, primarily for dogs? That precisely is what an Israeli Cable TV company has done to keep pooches entertained. 'Israel TV has gone to the dogs, literally!' writes the Times of India