Indian Sub-continent

Thane, Mar 16 (PTI) A court in Maharashtra's Thane district Saturday disqualified BJP corporator and former mayor Ashok Raul.

Shiv Sena candidate Mandar Vichare, who had lost to Raul in the last Thane civic elections held in February 2017, had filed a petition against the latter's victory.

Bathinda, Mar 16 (PTI) A local court here has sentenced a former Indian Air Force sergeant to death for the murder of a 27-year old corporal in February 2017.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Kanwaljeet Singh Bajwa sentenced Sailesh Kumar to death for the murder of Vipin Shukla of Uttar Pradesh when both were posted at Bhisiana Air Force Station. The verdict was pronounced on Friday, officials said.

The court also sentenced Kumar's wife to five years rigorous imprisonment for destruction of evidence.

Ranchi, Mar 16 (PTI) The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Saturday said that the grand alliance in the state has been officially sealed for the Lok Sabha polls.

The JMM, along with the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Left Front and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) comprise the grand alliance in the eastern Indian state.

New Delhi, Mar 16 (PTI) Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Saturday said the terrorist attack in New Zealand is a warning to the world that hatred is never benign.

She said on Twitter that her heart went out to the victims and their families.

She said may the love and support from millions, who are repelled by this crime, sustain the families and give them courage.

"The horrific terrorist act in New Zealand should be a warning to the whole world: hatred is NEVER benign," Priyanka tweeted.

New Delhi, Mar 16 (PTI) A four-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her tuition teacher's father in west Delhi's Punjab Bagh area, police said Saturday.

The incident took place on Friday when the minor had gone to attend her tuition in the same locality where she resides, they added.

Patna, Mar 16 (PTI) Irked over the delay in finalisation of seats in the 'mahagathbandhan', RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Saturday warned alliance partners that if they were not willing to give up their pride and insisted "on a few more seats", then countrymen would not forgive them.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal heir-apparent's remarks come at a time when less than 48 hours were left for nominations for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls and the grand alliance is yet to announce the number of seats to be fought by different constituents.

New Delhi, Mar 17 (PTI) A purported video showing the station house officer and two constables of Sarita Vihar Police Station assaulting a 44-year-old shopkeeper in Jasola Vihar here has gone viral on social media.

The incident allegedly took place on Thursday at about 11:45 pm, when the victim, identified as Mohammad Ibrahim, was closing his food joint, officials said.

Mumbai, Mar 17 (PTI) As many as 11,558 unauthorised political advertisements and posters have been removed from Mumbai suburban district ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, an election official said.

Besides, 16 police complaints of such unauthorised boards have also been filed in the last one week as part of implementation of the model code of conduct in the district, he said.

Srinagar, Mar 16 (PTI) Former IAS officer Shah Faesal will launch his political outfit 'Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement' at a function in Rajbagh area of the city on Sunday.

He said the function will be held at Gindun Ground in Rajbagh.

Kolkata, Mar 15; PTI/GANASHAKTI:  The Election Commission (EC) on Friday deployed seven companies of central para-military forces in as many districts of West Bengal, ahead of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections beginning April 11.

Three more companies will also move in by late this evening for their deployment in South 24-Parganas district and Kolkata, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Basu said.

The seven companies have been deployed in the districts of North Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and North 24-Parganas.