Indian Sub-continent

Varanasi, Jan 23 (PTI) Banaras Hindu University cardiologist Om Shankar's indefinite hunger strike, demanding a separate AIIMS for Varanasi, entered its fourth day on Wednesday.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and President Ram Nath Kovind visited the city for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas but my demand for health has gone unheard," the senior cardiologist said from the entrance gate of BHU, which is the venue for the protest.

KANPUR: One scooty-borne middle-aged man died in an accident in Bazaria area here on Wednesday. A dumper of Municipal Corporation hit the rider from the rear.  The rider identified as Fazal Ahmed was badly injured in the accident.

New Delhi, Jan 22 (PTI) A Delhi court Tuesday reserved for January 29 its order on whether to summon journalist Priya Ramani as an accused in a defamation case filed by former Union minister M J Akbar after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal reserved the order after listening to arguments from Akbar's lawyer, who said a prima facie case was made out against Ramani.

Muzaffarnagar, Jan 23 (PTI) Prohibitory orders were imposed in Shamli district to maintain law and order and in view of the UP board examination, officials said Tuesday.

Additional District Magistrate K B Singh said orders were imposed Tuesday under Section 144 of the CrPC, preventing assembly of more than four people. People were also from carrying firearms and using loudspeakers with immediate effect.

The Uttar Pradesh Board examination will begin on February 7 and will be held over 16 working days.

Lucknow, Jan 22 (PTI) BSP supremo Mayawati Tuesday demanded that the upcoming Lok Sabha polls be held using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The demand comes after a self-proclaimed US-based Indian cyber expert Monday made a sensational claim that the 2014 Lok Sabha elections were "rigged" through the EVMs, which, he said, can be hacked.

Balrampur (UP), Jan 22 (PTI) A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped by two men in Hompur village here, police said Tuesday.

The incident took place on Sunday evening when the girl was returning from her agricultural field.

Vijay (30) and Mitrasen (28) allegedly raped the girl in the jungle, SP Amit Kumar said.

On the complaint of the girl's family, an FIR has been filed and both arrested, the SP said.

The girl has been sent for medical examination.

Ranchi, Jan 22 (PTI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das Tuesday tabled an estimated Rs 85,429 crore budget for the year 2019-20 in the state Assembly with more than 25 per cent of the funds earmarked for development of ST/SC areas.

Out of the total budget, Rs 65,803 crore is on the head of revenue expenditure while Rs 19,626 crore on capital expenditure, the chief minister said in his budget speech.

Malkangiri (Odisha), Jan 22 (PTI) An assistant teacher of a school in Malkangiri district was arrested by police Tuesday on the charge of molestation and sexual abuse of minor girls, officials said.

The district administration also suspended head master of Ashram School at Gangala, Pravat Lakra while assistant teacher Ajay Kumar Das has been arrested, they said.

The Election Commission on Tuesday asked the Delhi Police to lodge an FIR against a self-proclaimed cyber expert for his claims that the 2014 Lok Sabha polls were rigged and the EVMs can be hacked.

In its letter, the EC said Syed Shuja has allegedly violated section 505 (1) of the IPC pertaining to spreading rumours which creates panic.

Mumbai, Jan 22; PTI: Suspected Maoists shot dead three villagers Tuesday in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on suspicion that their tip-off to police led to killing of 40 ultras in a massive operation in the region last year, a police official said.

A group of around 150 armed naxals from Chhattisgarh entered Kasnasur village near Kosfundi phata in Bhamragad taluka, around 950 kms from here in the wee hours, and went to the houses of Malu Madavi, Kanna Madavi and Lalsu Kudyeti, a police official said.