India

Sambalpur (Odisha), Feb 11 (PTI) A police official and a 22-year-old man were arrested on Monday for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in Odisha's Bargarh district, police said.

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in Sohela Banmali Kuanr and a youth -- Kaibalya alias Rinku Nag (22) -- were arrested on charge of raping the minor girl three days ago, Bargarh Superintendent of Police, Mukesh Kumar Bhamo said.

While the ASI was placed under suspension, both the accused have been booked under relevant sections of POCSO Act, the SP said.

New Delhi, Feb 11 (PTI) The AAP has invited Congress President Rahul Gandhi to attend its mega "Tanashahi Hatao, Loktantra Bachao" rally in the national capital on Wednesday to corner the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, a senior party leader said.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh told PTI that the Congress president is one of the invitees of the 'Tanashahi Hatao Loktantra Bachao' rally to be held on February 13 here.

Sikar (Rajasthan), Feb 11 (PTI) A POCSO court here on Monday awarded life imprisonment to a man for raping a four-year-old girl in the district about two weeks ago.

Twenty-eight-year-old Kalia alias Karan had abducted and raped the girl on January 30 night at a cremation ground near their huts in the Khatushyamji police station area.

Raipur, Feb 12 (PTI) The newly-formed Congress government in Chhattisgarh has rechristened five schemes named after late Jan Sangh leader Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya by the previous BJP-led dispensation.

These schemes of the urban administration and development department have now been named after former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and architect of the Indian Constitution Dr B R Ambedkar.

The opposition BJP, however, expressed unhappiness, saying the step indicated "political vindictiveness".

New Delhi, Feb 12 (PTI) At least 17 people were killed as a massive fire swept through a hotel in central Delhi's Karol Bagh area early Tuesday, police said.

The fire broke out at Arpit Palace Hotel located on Gurudwara Road in Karol Bagh.

A call about the fire was received at 4.35 am and 24 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, a senior officer from the Delhi Fire Service said.

A senior Delhi Police official said 17 people were killed in the fire.

KANPUR: A little dispute led to firing in the JK Colony II of Chakeri area on Monday afternoon. Police seized the licensed gun of the retired Daroga and began an initial investigation. Neighbours were also contacted for further information in regard to the dispute.

Shillong, Feb 11 : Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar and former Trinamool Congress MP Kunal Ghosh on Monday appeared before the CBI here for questioning in connection with investigations in chit fund cases.

This is the third day of grilling for Kumar and the second for Ghosh.

Ghosh arrived at the CBI office here shortly after 10 am while Kumar reached an hour later, an official told PTI.

On Sunday, the probe agency questioned Kumar separately and also along with Ghosh. The marathon questioning of the two lasted over eight hours, he said.

Kohima, Feb 11; PTI/GANASHAKTI: Normal life was affected in Nagaland on Monday during a 10-hour bandh called by civil society organisations in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Schools and markets remained closed, vehicles were off the roads and people stayed indoors during the bandh which began at 6 AM.

The BJP is a constituent of the National Democratic Peoples Party-led Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDA) government in the state.

Srinagar, Feb 10: Five Kashmiri seperatists were killed on Sunday in an encounter with Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, an Indian Army official said.

He said five seperatist were killed in a gunbattle with Indian security forces. The identity and group affiliation of the seperatist are being ascertained.

Weapons and war-like stores have been recovered from the battle site, the official added.

He said the law enforcing agencies were trying to restore order in the area.

Kolkata (WB), Feb 10; PTI/GANASHAKTI: The killing of Trinamool Congress MLA Satyajit Biswas drew sharp reactions from the ruling party and opposition BJP as a police complaint named saffron party leader Mukul Roy alleging his involvement in the incident.

Roy, a former TMC general secretary who joined the BJP last year following differences with party supremo Mamata Banerjee, denied the allegation, claiming that Biswas was a "victim" of the TMC's internal feud.