Blackbuck case details: Salman Khan convicted; sentencing; 10 updates

Bollywood actor Salman Khan was held guilty for poaching blackbuck in Jodhpur. Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu were acquitted.

Jodhpur court convicted Bollywood actor Salman Khan and acquitted actors Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu in 1998 Blackbuck poaching case on Thursday.

Elaborate security arrangements were made in and outside the court premises ahead of the verdict. Final arguments in the case were completed in the trial court on March 28, after which Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri had reserved the judgment to be pronounced on April 5. All the actors arrived the city and were present in court during pronouncement of the verdict.

Salman Khan, 52, faced charges under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and the other actors have been charged under Section 51 read with Section 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code. Maximum punishment under Section 51 is six years.

The actors were accused of hunting down two blackbucks in Bhagoda ki Dhani in village Kankani near Jodhpur on the intervening night of October 1 and 2, 1998. The actors were in the city for the shooting of the film 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'. Public Prosecutor Bhawani Singh Bhati said there was sufficient evidence against the actors.

All you need to know about blackbuck poaching case

1. April 5: A Jodhpur Court is set deliver the verdict in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case against actor Salman Khan today. Actors Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam arrived in Jodhpur on Wednesday to be present for the hearing.

2. What the prosecutors say:

“All of them were in a Gypsy car that night, with Salman Khan in the driving seat. He, on spotting a herd of black bucks, shot at and killed two of them,” Public Prosecutor Bhawani Singh Bhati said.
“But on being spotted and chased, they fled from the spot leaving the dead animals there," he said, adding that there was adequate evidence against them.

3. Salman Khan's defence

Denying these allegations, Salman Khan's counsel H M Saraswat denied allegations by the prosecutor. He said there were several loopholes in the prosecution's story and it had failed to prove its case beyond any doubt.

“Prosecution has failed to prove the allegations. It engaged in tampering and fabricating evidence and documents as well as roping in fake witnesses to prove its case," he said.
"It even failed to prove that the blackbucks were killed by gunshots. Hence, such investigation cannot be trusted," Saraswat said.

4. Who is involved in the case?

Bollywood actors Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu and Neelam are involved in the blackbuck poaching case, while Salman Khan is the main accused. It also involved two more accused, Dushyant Singh, who was allegedly accompanying the actors when the poaching took place, and Dinesh Gawre, said to be Salman Khan's assistant.

However, prosecutor Bhati says that Gawre never appeared in court and was made to disappear by Salman Khan. Had he been around, there could have been more information available in the case, he said.

5. The poaching: The forest department recovered the carcasses of blackbucks after the poaching incident. A forensic report also confirmed that the blood samples obtained from Salman Khan's car matched with the blackbucks.

The blackbuck is a species of antelope native to the Indian subcontinent. Since 2003, it has been listed as near threatened by IUCN and considered an endangered species in India. It is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972

6. November 11, 2016: Salman Khan was issued notice by the Supreme Court on an appeal by the Rajasthan government challenging his acquittal in blackbuck poaching case. The top court agrees to fast-track the plea.

7. July 25, 2016: The Rajasthan High Court acquitted Salman Khan of all charges in the blackbuck poaching case. The High Court said that there was no evidence to prove that the animals which were found dead were shot by the actor's licensed gun.

8. August 31, 2006: The Rajasthan Court suspended the sentence and ordered the actor to not leave the country without formal permission.

9. April 10, 2006: Salman Khan convicted in the blackbuck hunting case. He was slapped a fine and sentenced to five years of jail. He spent a week in jail in Jodhpur before being granted bail.

10. October 2, 1998: A police complaint was filed against the five actors Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam for allegedly killing two blackbucks while they were shooting for the movie Hum Sath Sath Hain in Rajasthan's Jodhpur.

Salman Khan has also been accused of killing two chinkaras and a blackbuck in September 1998. In all, three cases of poaching and one under the Arms Act were registered against Salman Khan in 1998.

What is Arms Act case?

The Arms Act of 1959 is an act of Parliament of India to consolidate and amend the law relating to arms and ammunition in order to curb illegal weapons and violence stemming from them.

Click here : Salman khan convicted

Sachin slams Afridi for Kashmir comment, says outsiders need not interfere

Earlier, Indian skipper Virat Kohli said his priority stays with his nation and that he would never support anyone who opposes his country 

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday slammed former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi for meddling in India's internal matter.

When asked about Afridi's comments about Kashmir, Tendulkar said, "We have got capable people to manage and run our country. No outsider needs to know or tell us what we need to do."

After security forces in Kashmir killed 12 terrorists, Afridi took to Twitter and said "innocents" were being shot down in Kashmir.

"Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other international bodies and why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?" Afridi tweeted on Tuesday.

Earlier, Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday said his priority stays with his nation and that he would never support anyone who opposes his country.

"As an Indian you want to express what is best for your nation and my interests are always for the benefit of our nation. If anything opposes it, I would never support it for sure. But having said that, it's a very personal choice for someone to make comment about certain issues," Kohli said.

The 29-year-old, who is set to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the upcoming 11th edition of the Indian Premier League, added, "Unless I have total knowledge of the issues and the intricacies of it I don't engage in it. Obviously, it goes without saying that your priority stays with your nation 

and anything that opposes it, you oppose it as well."

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Kapil Dev also hit back at Afridi over his anti-India remark, saying that one should not give importance to people like the former Pakistan skipper.

"Who is he? Why are we giving importance to him? We should not be giving importance to certain people," Dev, who won India's first World Cup in 1983, said.

Joining the bandwagon of cricketers slamming Afridi for his controversial tweet on Kashmir issue, Indian batsman Suresh Raina called on the 38-year-old to rather ask Pakistan Army to stop terrorism and proxy war in Kashmir.

"Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so always. Kashmir is the pious land where my forefathers were born. I hope @SAfridiOfficial bhai asks Pakistan Army to stop terrorism and proxy war in our Kashmir. We want peace, not bloodshed and violence," he tweeted.

Soon after Afridi's tweet, Indian opener Gautam Gambhir had mocked the former Pakistan player and referred to him as a perennially immature person.

Gambhir had written that Afridi's tweet on the current situation in Kashmir and his reference to United Nations was according to "his age bracket".

"Media called me for reaction on @SAfridiOfficial tweet on OUR Kashmir and @UN. What's there to say? Afridi is only looking for @UN which in his retarded dictionary means "UNDER NINTEEN" his age bracket. Media can relax, @SAfridiOfficial is celebrating a dismissal off a no-ball!!! (sic)," Gambhir tweeted.

At least 12 terrorists and three soldiers were among 20 people killed in three separate encounters that broke out in the Kashmir Valley on Sunday. As many as 25 others were injured in the encounters.

Article source : Business standard  

Blackbuck case verdict: If guilty, Salman will be jailed says Saif's lawyer

Salman Khan is facing charges under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of the Indian Penal Code. Maximum punishment under Section 51 is six years

Bollywood star Salman Khan and other actors arrived in Jodhpur on Wednesday where a court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict in a 1998 Blackbuck poaching case, in which he is accused of killing two black bucks. Final arguments of the case were completed in the trial court on March 28, after which Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri had reserved the judgment for today. All actors, including Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam, will be present in the court for the pronouncement of the verdict. Salman Khan, 52, arrived from Mumbai in a chartered flight. Bendre, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu and Neelam also reached Jodhpur from Mumbai.

During the shooting of the film, Salman Khan went on an alleged hunting session with his co-stars and was accused of killing two blackbucks in Kankani in the intervening night of October 1-2, 1998. The killings angered the Bishnoi community, who protect wildlife with a zeal, and they filed a complaint against the actors and a local involved in the shooting. He was also charged for keeping an arm with an expired license and was charged under the Arms Act. Salman Khan was later acquitted in the arms case by a trial court.

Salman Khan is facing charges under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and the other actors have been charged under Section 51 read with Section 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code. Maximum punishment under Section 51 is six years.

Live updates

* Police personnel deployed outside Jodhpur court ahead of the verdict in Blackbuck poaching case. Saif Ali Khan,Neelam & Sonali Bendre's lawyer says,'if they are found guilty then there is equal 

punishment for all. Maximum punishment will be for six years and minimum one year.'

* Saif Ali Khan loses temper over media questions in Jodhpur

The other actors accused in the case, other than Salman Khan, too have been bombarded with questions.

On Wednesday, Saif Ali Khan got annoyed over media questions and snapped at his driver. In the video clip that has gone viral on social media, a bearded Khan is heard telling his driver, "Sheehsa upar karo aur reverse kar lo varna padegi ek (put the window up and reverse the car or else you will get slapped)".

* 2002 hit and run case: Khan was acquitted by the Bombay High Court in December 2015 after being found guilty in the case earlier that year; one person was killed and four injured in the incident.

Click here : BlackBuck Poaching Case

KKR has roped in young English all-rounder Tom Curran as the replacement for Starc

Time will tell whether the absence of their most successful skipper, Gautam Gambhir, will impact Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) or not, but in new captain Dinesh Karthik the two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions will find a seasoned campaigner who feels he has matured enough to "get the best out of the team".

Gambhir, who led KKR to titles in 2012 and 2014, left the city-based franchise to join his home team Delhi Daredevils ahead of this IPL.

Karthik was named as his successor and days after the appointment, the 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman became the talk of the cricketing world by clobbering a last-ball six to singlehandedly guide India to a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the final of the Nidahas Trophy T20I Tri-series in Sri Lanka.

"I'm aware of the expectations. Whether there would be pressure, 'yes'. As a captain, you're expected to at least go to the playoffs, that's the least anybody can expect. I think I'm at a stage where I can handle it and get the best out of the team," Karthik said in his first interaction with journalists as KKR captain.

Karthik knows he will have to bat really well to come anywhere close to Gambhir's exploits in the purple shirt. The veteran opener had led from the front since joining KKR in 2011, finishing as their highest run-scorer in the last two seasons.

Besides Gambhir, dashing opener Robin Uthappa has also been a vital cog in KKR's wheel for the last few years.

Having him as vice-captain should also do a world of good to Karthik and the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise.

The unavailability of Aussie pace spearhead Mitchell Starc though is a body blow for KKR just ahead of their first game against Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.

Starc, rated as one of the world's finest pacers, was roped in for a whopping Rs 94 million (Rs 9.4 crore) and tipped to lead the franchise's bowling attack. But the 28-year-old was ruled out of the fourth Test against South Africa due to a tibial bone stress fracture in his right leg.

In Starc's absence, compatriot Mitchell Johnson will be expected to deliver the goods. KKR have always been a strong bowling unit and this time won't be any different.

CLICK HERE : IPL 2018

Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus, Nokia 6 (2018) launched: Things to know

The Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 6 (2018) support Google Android One initiative, assuring timely updates and vanilla Android experience with no bloatware pre-installed

 

HMD Global, the Finnish company behind the Nokia-branded phones, has launched the Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 6 (2018) in India. The smartphones were first unveiled at the Mobile World Congress, along with Android Oreo Go edition-based Nokia 1 and 4G VoLTE-enabled Nokia 8110 feature phone.

Nokia 8 Sirocco

The Nokia 8 Sirocco edition is made of stainless steel frame, which is 2.5 times stronger than 6,000-series aluminium. The front is covered with a 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Underneath, there is a 5.5-inch curved edge-to-edge pOLED 2K display with smaller bezels and moulded body curves.

Nokia 8 SiroccoNokia 8 Sirocco Photo: Rahul Saha The phone sports dual rear cameras with ZEISS optics. The dual-camera set-up in the Nokia 8 Sirocco boasts a 12-megapixel wide-angle primary lens, coupled with a 13MP telephoto sensor for enhanced portrait shots and 2x optical zoom capabilities. Imaging is assisted by Nokia’s spatial audio microphones, which record high-resolution audio in surround sound.

The water and dust resistant (IP67-certified) Nokia 8 Sirocco supports wireless charging and face unlock.

Nokia 7 Plus

The Nokia 7 Plus is the first smartphone from the Finnish smartphone maker to sport a modern 6-inch 18:9 fullHD+ screen. The phone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC, coupled with 64GB internal storage and 4GB RAM. Powering the device is a 3,800 mAh battery, which the company claims would keep the phone running for two days.

Nokia 6 (2018)

Built on the blueprint of the original Nokia 6, the new Nokia 6 (2018) packs more power and performance. The phone is powered by Qualcomm 630 processor, coupled with 32GB internal storage and 3GB RAM. The phone is powered by a 3,000 mAh battery, which supports fast charge technology. According to company’s claim, the fast charger takes 30 minutes to charge over 50 per cent battery. The phone boasts a 16MP primary camera and 8MP selfie camera.

The Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 6 (2018) support Google Android One initiative, assuring timely updates and vanilla Android experience with no bloatware pre-installed. The new devices also comes with Nokia Pro camera feature, which gives individual control over camera settings for pro users.

The Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 6 are priced at Rs 49,999, Rs 25,999 and Rs 16,999, respectively.

Article source: Business  standard 

SC/ST protests: Bihar Dalit leader demands 'Harijanistan'; top developments

Curfew has been imposed in Madhya Pradesh in the wake of violence witnessed by the state on April 2 during Bharat Bandh

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to put in abeyance its judgment banning automatic arrests without prior permissions for offences under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, saying its March 20 order only meant to safeguard innocent people without affecting the rights of the marginalised communities.

The court, however, said it would consider the arguments against its judgment from all parties involved at the next hearing that will be scheduled sometime after 10 days.

Meanwhile, curfew has been imposed in various areas of Gwalior, Bhind and Morena districts of Madhya Pradesh in the wake of violence witnessed by the state on April 2 during Bharat Bandh.The curfew, though, would be relaxed for two hours between 10 am and 12 noon, according to the police. As many as 5,000 people have been booked for creating ruckus and damaging public and government properties during protests against "dilution" of the provisions of the SC-ST Act in Uttar Pradesh.

Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Krishna said police had lodged reports against 5,000 unidentified and 285 named miscreants under various sections the IPC.

Till now 32 agitators have been arrested and raids are being conducted to arrest others.

The Supreme Court had on March 20 banned automatic arrests and registration of criminal cases under the Scheduled Castes (SC) and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Ruling that no arrest could be made under the Act without prior permission, the apex court had also held that a court could grant anticipatory bail if it, prima facie, found the complaint was an abuse of the law, false, motivated and intended to blackmail or harass a person.

Here are the top developments around the so-called dilution of the Act and the Bharat bandh called by Dalit organisations across the country:

1. Former Bihar minister and Dalit leader Ramai Ram on Wednesday threatened to raise the demand of "Harijanistan" (Dalit land). "Constitutional rights of Dalits are being snatched from them and their dignity and honour hurted. Dalits cannot live in the country as a second-class citizen. We will demand Harijanistan," Ram said.

Ram, who is a senior leader of JD-U faction led by Sharad Yadav, said that nine Dalits killed in police firing in the country during the protest against the dilution of SC/ST Atrocities Act should be declared martyr.

He said Dalit icon B. R. Ambedkar also demanded Harijanistan for development of Dalits after India got independent and a separate Pakistan was created "but then top leaders of the country provided special rights to Dalits in place of Harijanistan. Now special rights for Dalits in the constitution are under threat and Dalits are being discriminated everywhere. It will not work anymore," he said.

2. SC refuses to stay ST/SC Act order: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay its order on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) Act. The court was hearing Central Government's review petition on Schedule Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The apex court also asked all parties to submit detailed replies within two days. The matter will be heard after 10 days.

 Read more : Bharat bandh  

Facebook data breach giving you panic attacks? Here are some desi options

Amid data breach talks and the recent instance of Cambridge Analytica scandal, where unauthorised access to user data apparently caused election meddling, there have been calls to delete Facebook

Mark Zuckerberg-led Facebook, connecting billions of people across the world, is unarguably the biggest social media platform globally. It is almost impossible to find a person who uses the internet but does not have a Facebook account, or never had one. To remain at the top of social networking sites, Facebook even acquired instant message sharing app Whatsapp and photo-sharing app Instagram. However, the recent Cambridge Analytica controversy seems to have shaken Facebook's digital empire. Cambridge Analytica is said to have accessed Facebook users' data without permission and, apparently, helped manipulate election results.

Today, while there have been calls to delete Facebook in the interest of digital privacy, many of the Facebook users are feeling unsecure for their private information.

The controversy

Cambridge Analytica came to the spotlight after Facebook Vice-President and Deputy General counsel Paul Grewal published a message mentioning that the SCL and Cambridge Analytica had been suspended for violation Facebook policy. The firm had not deleted the data it had received in 2015 from a developer.

SCL had access of user data through a Facebook app called “thisisyourdigitallife" and the app was downloaded by by 270,000 people.

Cambridge Analytica is widely known for helping Donald Trump's campaign in the US Presidential Election 2016.

After the scandal broke, there has been a growing scepticism around safety of personal data on social media. There was a frenzy among netizens to delete their social media account in order to protect their personal information.

The safety of your personal information cannot be guaranteed, but if you are looking for some 'desi' alternatives to Facebook, here is a list:

Hike

Hike Messenger is a cross-platform instant messaging service that provides users with a platform for text messaging, sending each other graphical stickers, emoticons, images, videos, audios, documents, voice messages, contacts and users' location. The app can also be used to book Ola vehicles directly and has also enabled Hike ID, through which users can chat with each other without sharing their mobile numbers.

Roposo

Roposo is an app that offers filters and editing tools, and an option for social media sharing that allows users to instantly publish pictures on other social media channels.

The camera in the app helps edit and stitch videos to perfection; reducing the editing time. And users get to edit the videos on their phone itself. With the introduction of augmented reality feature on the app, users can create better content and post it on the platform.

Sharechat

Backed by SAIF Partners and Xiaomi, Sharechat is a leading social networking platform in India which enables users to watch and share videos on other platforms as well. Available in 14 vernacular languages, Sharechat is meant for all the users who love to share videos and photos in their own regional language.

SyncYu

SyncYu is an Indian pro-social networking application which focuses on connecting with friends and family by providing a spam-free platform. It is advertisement-free and claims to show how its users truly are to the world. This app comes with a lot of features like messaging, games, shoutouts, wordsmash, news and much more.

Read More: Facebook data breach 

IPL 2018 match schedule: Mumbai and Chennai to play opening game on April 7

A total of 60 matches will be played at nine venues across 51 days from April 7 to May 27

The eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League will begin on 7 April at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The season opener will be played between defending champions Mumbai Indians and comeback team Chennai Super Kings.

Apart from the hosting opening game and the final of the IPL 2018, Mumbai host the first qualifier. Chennai Super Kings will also play the last league match on May 20 against Kings XI Punjab.

A total of 60 matches will be played at nine venues across 51 days from April 7 to May 27. The two qualifiers and the eliminator will be played between May 22 and May 25. In this year’s IPL, all the double header- 12 in total – will be played over weekend. Out of 60 matches, 12 will be played in afternoon 48 will be played in the evening.

The afternoon games will start from 4:00 pm and evening games will start from 8:00 pm. Earlier in January, the IPL governing council had approved the proposal that evening matches would begin at 7pm and afternoon matches would begin at 5:30 pm. But after IPL franchises’s demand IPL council decided to stick to the original match timings.

In the addition to home bases of the eight franchises, Indore will be the ninth venue in the IPL 2018. Kings XI Punjab will host three of their home games in Indore and the remaining four matches in Mohali.

Wankhede Stadium will be hosting the final this time around between the winner of Qualifier 1 and the winner of Qualifier 2, on May 27. The upcoming edition of the cash-rich league will feature 12 matches that will be played at 4:00 PM IST and 48 matches will start at 8:00 PM IST.

Click here → IPL 2018 Schedule

 

YouTube shooting: Shooter Nasim Aghdam identified in California; 10 updates

YouTube employees recounted dramatic scenes as they fled the headquarters of the Google-owned video sharing service near San Francisco

 

A woman opened fire with a 9 mm handgun at YouTube's headquarters near San Francisco on Tuesday, wounding three people before shooting herself dead as employees of the Silicon Valley tech company fled into the surrounding streets, authorities said.

Police did not identify the suspect or say what might have motivated the shooting at YouTube, a video-sharing service owned by Alphabet Inc's Google which employs nearly 2,000 people at the San Bruno, California offices.

The woman approached an outdoor patio and dining courtyard on the campus around lunchtime and began to fire before entering the building, police said.

The San Jose Mercury News, citing a law enforcement source, said that she was targeting her boyfriend due to a domestic dispute.

A U.S. government security official told Reuters there was no known connection to terrorism.

ABC News, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, said the suspect was 35 to 40 years old, and lived in Southern California, with no apparent connection to YouTube.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai thanked the police and first responders for their efforts.

"There are no words to describe the tragedy that occurred today. Susan Wojcicki and I are focused on supporting our employees and the YouTube community through this difficult time together. Thank you to the police & first responders for their efforts, and to all for msgs of support," he tweeted. YouTube headquarters is located some 30 miles (50 kilometres) from the main Google campus in Mountain View.

Here are the top 10 developments around the YouTube headquarters shooting where the assailant committed suicide after injuring several people:

1. Woman who allegedly carried out YouTube shooting is identified by police

The person who allegedly shot at least three people at YouTube's campus on Tuesday afternoon has been identified as Nasim Najafi Aghdam, according to senior law enforcement officials. The woman, who was 39 years old, is believed to have carried out the attack because of a domestic dispute, officials said. The authorities said terrorism did not appear to be a motive at this time.
The shooter used a 9 mm handgun.

Aghdam, who authorities say last lived in the San Diego area, had previously claimed in a video that YouTube "discriminated and filtered" her content, according to NBC Bay Area.
Police chief Ed Barberini of San Bruno city, 19 km from San Francisco, said the suspect, a female shooter, appeared to have shot herself after injuring multiple people at the campus of the YouTube facility.

"We did locate a victim with what we believe to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound," said Barberini. "It's a female, but the investigation is still ongoing before we can put all the pieces together."

2. Google issues statement on the shooting: Google, the parent company of YouTube, issued a statement, saying that "We continue to actively coordinate with local authorities and hospitals. Our security team has been working closely with authorities to evacuate the buildings and ensure the safety of employees in the area".

3. 4 injured in the YouTube shooting: "We have a 32-year-old female who is in a serious condition, a 27-year-old female in a fair condition, and a 36-year-old male in a critical condition," KPIX 5 TV quoted Brent Andrew, spokesman for Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, as saying.
The shooting took place in an outdoor cafe at the YouTube campus in San Bruno in the US, which houses at least 1,700 employees.

Read more: Youtube shooting 

Fighting Insomnia the Natural Way

The next day after a sleepless night is always challenging

The next day after a sleepless night is always challenging. One may not have been able to sleep because of chronic insomnia or work or some other reason but if an individual has not slept well then sleepiness and fatigue awaits him the next day. So, how to hold on despite lack of sleep and fatigue? Here are some natural methods and tips for rejuvenating oneself after a sleepless night.

Take a quick nap - This is a proven strategy, a quick rejuvenating power nap should be between 10 to 20 minutes. Anything over that will make the person fall into a deep sleep. One can also opt for a micro nap. Relax in sitting position with some article in your hand, feel your body relaxing. Five minutes later, as one will fall asleep the article in one’s hand will eventually fall to the ground and thus waking him up.

Massage - A self-massage can help one get back the required energy after a sleepless night. But please note that the massage has to be a spirited one as a soothing and relaxing massage will make one fall asleep, the goal here is not to fall asleep.

Also Read : Avoid these Simple Training Errors for Maximum Benefits

Scottish Shower - This good old method still works. Scottish Shower is a hot shower followed by 

splash of cold water. The Scottish shower is stimulating; it improves blood circulation and also helps to re-oxygenate the body. After this shower, one will be more tranquil.

Aerate - Taking a breath of fresh air is a good way to wake up. Inhale deeply to inflate your stomach and lungs. Then, slowly exhale. This will eliminate the toxins, clean the blood and fill you up with oxygen. A walk in fresh air in a park or a little jogging if at all possible will also help shake off the fatigue.

Drink a coffee and green tea - Coffee, just like an energy drink, gives a boost of energy for around 30 minutes. Under the effect of caffeine and sugar one will feel energised temporarily. But the energy levels will again drop after the effect of caffeine is over. Thus first drink a coffee to wake up well and then extend its effects with green tea with mint, without sugar. One can even drink green tea throughout the day. Mint is very energizing but if you're not a fan, you can replace it with a rosemary tea which has the same benefits....Read more

Now, UIDAI allows face recognition for Aadhaar biometric authentication

The move will enable easy authentication for those individuals who face a difficulty in other biometric authentication like fingerprint and iris

 

The UIDAI on Monday allowed face recognition as additional means of Aadhaar authentication to be used in combination with existing ways such as fingerprint or iris scan.

The move will enable easy authentication for those individuals who face a difficulty in other biometric authentication like fingerprint and iris.

The facility is being allowed only in a "fusion mode" that is along with other existing means of authentication, and will be available by July 1, 2018, an official release said.

"This facility is going to help in inclusive authentication of those who are not able to biometrically authenticate due to their worn out fingerprints, old age or hard work conditions," the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) said.

As of now, two modes of biometric authentication, fingerprint authentication and iris authentication, are allowed under Aadhaar.

"The face authentication provides additional option for all residents to have inclusive authentication.

It shall be allowed only in fusion mode along with one more authentication factor combined with either fingerprint or iris or OTP to be able to successfully authenticate an Aadhaar number holder," UIDAI said.

The new method will also be allowed "on need basis".

Monday's move comes close on the heels of the biggest overhaul of Aadhaar system by the UIDAI last week when it allowed individuals to create and use a virtual ID to avoid sharing 

their unique identity numbers, when using government and other services.

Users will, from March 1, have the option of generating a 16-digit virtual identity mapped to their Aadhaar number that can be shared with telecom companies and others at the time of authenticating their identity.

From June 1, 2018, it will be compulsory for all agencies, which undertake authentication, to accept the virtual IDs from their users.

Another Nirbhaya: Minor's organs ruptured in Haryana gang-rape and murder

The girl has been identified and it is found that she was missing since January 9 from Kurukshetra

 

 

Haryana gang rape : Medical examination of the 15-year-old girl, who was found dead near a canal in Haryana's Jind district, revealed that she was raped by several individuals and had suffered immense internal injuries after the criminals inserted a blunt object into her genitals.

On Sunday, the body of a minor was found with injury marks near a canal in Budhakhera village of Jind district.

"Internal injury is found, her liver was ruptured and apart from that wounds from sexual assault are seen in her private parts. They have been mutilated and ruptured, and it seems that more than one person was involved," head of Forensic Science Department, Dr. SK Dhattarwal told ANI.

"It seems hard or blunt weapon was introduced," he added.

The postmortem also indicates that there might have been attempts to drown the victim, Dhattarwal informed, and added, "To confirm it, we have sent for the body for a diatom test."

The body was found naked from below the chest area.

The girl has been identified and it is found that she was missing since January 9 from Kurukshetra.

Meanwhile, the family of the victim staged a protest in Kurushetra and called for Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar, demanding justice for her.

"My daughter was kidnapped and raped.

The culprits should be punished, we want justice for her. If administration had done its job well, an incident like this would have never happened," Father of the victim told ANI.

A family member of the girl said she had been missing since she went for her tuition classes.

"Her aunt used to take her home from the tuition at 8:00 pm, but she was not there on January 9 when she (aunt) went to take her. The same day, we filed a complaint with the police. We then saw on social media that a body was found in Jind," he said.

Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Khattar has assured that the culprit in the case would be nabbed soon.

Judicial crisis: SC judges Chelameswar, Gogoi, Lokur & Joseph attend court

The 4 judges have taken up their respective business on the first working day of the top court after the January 12 press conference

Four senior-most Supreme Court judges, who had held an unprecedented press conference and raised the issue of assignment of cases, on Monday attended court and took up routine work.

The four judges -- Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph -- have taken up their respective business on the first working day of the top court after the January 12 press conference.

ALSO READ: Rift between Supreme Court judges to be resolved soon: Bar Council

In the presser, these judges had flagged some problems, including the assigning of cases in the apex court, and said there were certain issues afflicting the country's highest court.

On Sunday, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra had met a seven-member delegation of the Bar Council of India and Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh and had assured them that the crisis would be sorted out soon and congeniality would prevail.

Netanyahu calls India a world power: 10 things he said on Indo-Israeli ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday set aside protocol to personally receive his Israeli counterpart and "friend" with a warm hug as he arrived in New Delhi on a six-day visit

Relations between India and Israel are like a "marriage made in heaven" and just one negative vote at the United Nations (UN) cannot change the dynamics between the two nations, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on a six-day visit to India that started on Sunday.ay

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday set aside protocol to personally receive his Israeli counterpart and "friend" with a warm hug as he arrived in New Delhi on a six-day visit to step up growing trade as well as military and strategic ties between the two countries. As Netanyahu and his wife Sara stepped on the red carpet at the airport, a smiling Modi embraced the Israeli leader and then shook hands with the couple.

"Welcome to India, my friend Netanyahu! Your visit to India is historic and special. It will further cement the close friendship between our nations," Modi tweeted in English and Hebrew. Netanyahu quickly responded. "Thank you to my good friend Narendra Modi for the warm welcome."

ALSO READ: India-Israel ties are based on own merit, says Professor Harsh V Pant

Modi and Netanyahu, who have developed a close friendship, exchanging greetings on social media on various occasions and hugging each other heartily, will hold talks on a range of issues on Monday after President Ram Nath Kovind formally welcomes the Israeli leader at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The visit, which marks 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, comes six months after Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Jewish state in July last year.

What Netanyahu said about India-Israel ties:

1) India is an 'important world power': Before embarking on the flight to India, Netanyahu said his trip was intended to strengthen bilateral relations "even more".
"This visit is an opportunity to enhance cooperation with a global economic, security, technology and tourism power," he said. "Modi is a close friend of Israel and of mine and I appreciate the fact that he will accompany me on extensive parts of my visit." He said that strengthening the relationship between Israel and "this important world power... helps us with security, the economy, trade, tourism and many other aspects".

2) One vote at the UN won't impact ties: In December last year, India voted in favour of a resolution brought by Turkey and Yemen in the UN opposing the United States' decision recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The resolution was approved with 127-9 at the UN General Assembly.

However, Netanyahu set aside concerns that the vote in question would hamper ties. "I don't think one vote affects a general trend you can see in many other votes and everything and these visits," Netanyahu said when asked to comment on India's vote at the UN, in an interview on an Indian TV channel.

ALSO READ: As Netanyahu arrives, will Spike missile go the Rafale fighter route?

3) But, Israel was 'disappointed': While India's vote at the UN would not hamper ties, Netanyahu did add that Israel was "disappointed" by India's position in the matter. "Yes, naturally we were disappointed, but this visit is a testimony that our relationship is moving on so many fronts, be it political, technological, tourism, security and so many other areas. Ultimately, you see it reflected in all UN votes, not just now but soon," he said....

Petrol, diesel may get costlier in Delhi; higher rental to affect 400 pumps

The combined impact on fuel retailing outlets is estimated at Rs 12 billion

Delhiites might soon have to pay more for motor fuel, a sequel to an earlier decision by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the land allotment agency, putting outlets retailing these in the same commercial category as malls.

Sources say the resulting higher rentals might affect at least 400 outlets in DDA areas. The decision to raise land rentals with effect from 2007 has been contested by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPC), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPC) in the Supreme Court. The case is in court for some months. Meanwhile, talks are on between the three oil marketing companies (OMCs) and DDA. Sources say if there is no agreement soon, the companies will be passing on the higher rentals.

The combined impact on fuel retailing outlets is estimated at Rs 12 billion. “We might have to pay the claim with retrospective effect and interest. We have been contesting this move, stating that selling of petrol and diesel cannot be categorised along with malls,” said an official.

As on Sunday, Delhi had the lowest fuel prices among all the four metros, with petrol priced at Rs 71.06 per litre and diesel at Rs 61.56 per litre.

Mumbai has the highest petrol price at Rs 78.94 and diesel at Rs 65.53....

Read more about : Petrol and diesel price

JioCoin: Reliance planning own cryptocurrency, Akash Ambani to lead project

The company aspires to get into the Internet-of-things business and blockchain will help its foray

Reliance Jio is planning to create a cryptocurrency of its own called 'JioCoin', and will put together a young team of 50-odd professionals under Akash Ambani to kickstart the project, a Livemint report claims. The Ambani scion is reportedly interested in developing blockchain technology to aid the development of smart contacts and cryptocurrency payment-enabled supply chains.

Blockchain is a digital ledger that works as a book-keeper for cryptocurrencies.

'Jio' a leap into Reliance's future?

Reliance Jio has disrupted India's telecom sector in the past year-and-a-half by offering services at hyper-competitive prices, forcing other telcos to follow suit.

Reliance Industries, the oil-to-telecom conglomerate that holds Jio is reportedly mulling an IPO in late 2018 or early 2019. The group has already pumped in $31 billion worth of investment in Jio.

The Livemint report quoted a Jio official as saying that the company aspires to get into the Internet-of-things business and blockchain technology is supposed to help its foray.

ALSO READ: How 'Internet of Things' will change the world as we know it

IoT is technology that allows physical objects like wearable technology, smartphones, other electronic devices to be connected. From smart cities to driverless cars and smart factories, and smart homes the Internet of Things is supposed to enter every aspect of people's lives.

Reliance celebrated forty years of its existence a couple of weeks back, where Mukesh Ambani's children- Aakash, Isha, Anant were projected as the petrochemical behemoth's next-generation leaders.

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Four SC judges come out against CJI, say protect SC to preserve democracy

We tried to convince Chief Justice that things are not in order. Unfortunately, our attempts failed: Justice Chelameswar

In an unprecedented event, four senior sitting judges of the Supreme Court on Friday met the media to complain that the administration of the country's top court was not in order. At a hurriedly called press conference at the residence of Justice J Chelameswar,the No 2 in the apex court hierarchy, they said it was with "no pleasure" that they had been compelled to make public what they were upset with.

"Hallmark of democracy is independent and fair judiciary. We tried to convince Chief Justice that things are not in order. Unfortunately, our attempts failed," said Justice Chelameswar. "It is s with no pleasure that we have been compelled to do this, administration of SC is not in order," he said. "A couple of months back, four of us gave a signed letter to the CJI and we wanted a particular thing to be done in a particular manner. It was done in such a way that it raised further doubt about the integrity of the institution," he added.

ALSO READ: Pain in judges' eyes could be seen during the media meet: KTS Tulsi

Key takeaways: 

Administration of the apex court is 'sometimes not in order' and many 'less than desirable things' have taken place

Save Supreme Court if you want democracy in the country to survive

Corrosion and compromise taking place within the institution of the judiciary and especially within the portals of the Supreme Court
Our efforts have failed in convincing the CJI (Chief Justice of India) to take steps to protect the institution

The hallmark of a good democracy is an independent and impartial judge
Even this morning, the four of us went and met the Chief Justice of India and tried to persuade him to accept that certain things are not in order and that he should take remedial measures. Unfortunately, we couldn't convince him

The other three judges addressing the media today were Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Madan Lokur and Justice Kurien Joseph. The judges said that they will soon release a copy of the letter highlighting their demands. "We are not breaking lines.
This is our duty to the nation," Gogoi said. The judges added that it will be business as usual for them on Monday and will go the court as usual....READ MORE

Another milestone for Isro with 100th satellite: 10 things you should know

16 nanosatellites made by the US placed into the sun-synchronous orbit of the Earth

India on Friday launched a polar rocket with 31 satellites, including three Indian and 28 of six other nations from its spaceport in Sriharikota. The 44.4-metre tall Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C40) roared into a clear sky after a perfect lift-off at 9.29 a.m. after a 28-hour countdown. The 320-tonne rocket will eject the satellites one-by-one and deploy them into the earth's lower orbit about 17 minutes and 18 seconds after the lift-off.

Isro Chairman designate K Sivan says PSLVC40 is special for Isro since it is coming after a failure 4.5 months back.

PSLVC40 Performance was excellent and entire system perfectly. Its a green flag for high profile missions.

S Somanath, Director, LPSC says today's successful launch is a reassurance to all of us about PSLV. The previous launch failed due to a "very minor" issue.

Here's all you should know about the launch:

• For the mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) used PSLV-C40 launch vehicle, which is carrying 31 satellites, including three from India and 28 from six other countries.
• The weather observation 'Cartosat-2 Series' satellite and 29 others will be inserted into a 505-kilometre sun-synchronous orbit after about seventeen and a half minutes since its liftoff.
• This satellite is the seventh remote sensing satellite in its series and has the mission life of five years.
• Its uses include monitoring urban and rural applications, coastal land use regulation, managing services like road networks and water distribution, detecting changes in geographical features and creation of land use maps.
• The flight is the first since the setback suffered by the PSLV in August last and is set to demonstrate that the workhorse rocket is back in the game for reliable satellite launches in the low earth and polar orbits....Read more

4 months after failed bid, ISRO launches 100th Satellite Cartosat-2 Series

The total weight of all the 31 satellites carried on-board PSLV-C40 is about 1,323 kgs

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) on Friday launched its 100th satellite along with 31 others in a single mission from the space port of Sriharikota.
The 42nd flight of India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C40) carrying the 710-kg Cartosat-2 series satellite took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.

The total weight of all the 31 satellites carried on-board PSLV-C40 is about 1,323 kgs.

The 28 international customer satellites were launched as part of the commercial arrangements between ISRO and its commercial arm 'Antrix Corporation Ltd'.

Of the total number of satellites carried by PSLV-C40, 30 satellites were launched into a 505 kms polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

ALSO READ : Another Milestone For Isro With 100th Satellite: 10 Things You Should Know

According to ISRO, the Cartosat-2 series satellite launch is a follow-on mission with the primary objective of providing high resolution scene specific spot imageries.

It carries panchromatic and multi-spectral cameras operating in Time Delay Integration mode and is capable of delivering high resolution data.

It will be the third satellite in the Cartosat-2 series.

ISRO had successfully launched Cartosat-2 Series satellite on June 22, 2016.

It is similar to the earlier Cartosat-2, 2A and 2B.

The images sent by Cartosat-2 series satellite will be useful for cartographic applications, urban and rural applications, coastal land use and regulation, road network monitoring, water distribution, creation of land use maps and change detection to bring out geographical Land Information Systems and Geographical Information System applications.

ISRO Satellite Centre Director M Annadurai had recently said the launch of 28 satellites from abroad and three Indian satellites during the mission would mark the roll out of the 100th satellite by the space agency.

Today's launch also marks the first launch for ISRO in 2018 following the unsuccessful mission of navigation satellite IRNSS-1H last year.

On August 31, 2017 India's mission to launch its backup navigation satellite IRNSS-1H on board PSLV-C39 failed after the heat shield did not separate in the final leg of the launch sequence and as a result, the satellite IRNSS-1H got stuck in the fourth stage of the rocket.

Indu Malhotra to be 1st woman lawyer to directly become Supreme Court judge

Indu Malhotra will be the first women lawyer to be directly appointed as a judge of the apex court

 

The Supreme Court collegium has recommended the name of senior advocate Indu Malhotra as the first woman lawyer to be directly appointed as a judge of the apex court, sources said on Thursday.

Along with her, Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K M Joseph, who was part of the bench which in 2016 had quashed the imposition of President's Rule in the state, has also been cleared for elevation to the apex court.

Malhotra, who was designated as a senior advocate in 2007, would be the first woman lawyer to be directly appointed as a judge of the top court, instead of being elevated from a high court.

She will be the seventh woman judge since independence to make it to the Supreme Court. At present, Justice R Banumathi is the lone woman judge in the apex court.

The first woman to be appointed as a judge of the apex court was Justice M Fathima Beevi in 1989.

Thereafter, Justice Sujata V Manohar, Justice Ruma Pal, Justice Gyan Sudha Misra and Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai made it to the top court as judges.

Income Tax dept attaches 900 benami properties worth over Rs 35 billion

I-T Department said in a statement that it has stepped up action under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act

The Income Tax (I-T) Department on Thursday said it has attached more than 900 benami properties including flats, shops, jewellery and vehicles worth over Rs 35 billion.

I-T Department said in a statement that it has stepped up action under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, which came into force from November 1, 2016.

The Act provides for provisional attachment and subsequent confiscation of benami properties, whether movable or immovable.

It also allows for prosecution of the beneficial owner, the benamidar and the abettor to benami transactions, which may result in rigorous imprisonment up to 7 years and a fine of up to 25 per cent of fair market value of the property.

The department had set up 24 dedicated Benami Prohibition Units (BPUs) under its Investigation Directorates all over India in May, 2017 to ensure swift action in respect of Benami properties.

ALSO READ: Income-tax department's Benami advertisement leave property owners jittery

"Due to intensive efforts undertaken by the Department, provisional attachment has been made in more than 900 cases of properties under the Act. These include plots of land, flats, shops, jewellery, vehicles, deposits in bank accounts, fixed deposits etc," the statement said.

The value of properties under attachment is more than Rs 35 billion including immovable properties of more than Rs 29 billion, the department said.

Benami literally means 'without a name'. An asset without a legal owner or a fictitious owner is called benami.

The original Benami Act was introduced in 1988 for prevention of black money and was amended in 2016 to prohibit benami transactions and provides for confiscating benami properties....Read more

Kamala Mills fire: Two '1 Above' pub owners nabbed, one still absconding

The Sanghvi brothers, who were on the run since the incident, were arrested from the Andheri area

Jigar Sanghvi and Kripesh Sanghvi, '1 Above' pub co-owners wanted in connection with the December 29 Kamala Mills fire that claimed 14 lives, were arrested on Wednesday, police said.
The Sanghvi brothers, who were on the run since the incident, were arrested from the Andheri area here, additional commissioner of police S Jaikumar told PTI.

The police had on Tuesday arrested Vishal Kariya, a hotelier, for allegedly giving shelter to the Sanghvi brothers and Abhijeet Mankar -- owners of the '1 Above' pub.

ALSO READ: Fix fire safety: 15 measures to prevent Kamala Mills tragedy like situation

The trio has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other offences under the Indian Penal Code.

Police had also announced a reward of Rs 100,000 for information about their whereabouts.Mankar was still absconding.

On December 29, a fire had swept through the '1 Above' and adjacent Mojo's Bistro resto pub in Kamala Mills compound in central Mumbai, resulting in the death of 14 people.

9 years after Satyam scam, Price Waterhouse banned from audit for 2 years

Nine years after Satyam scam, Sebi orders Rs 130.9-million disgorgement; audit firm says it is confident of getting order stayed

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) late on Wednesday banned Price Waterhouse (PW) from providing audit services to listed companies and market intermediaries for two years in the Satyam fraud case. Two PW partners have been banned for three years.

The regulator also imposed a disgorgement of Rs 130.9 million on Price Waterhouse, and two of its chartered accountants — S Gopalakrishnan and Srinivas Talluri. The three entities also have to pay 12 per cent interest on the disgorgement amount since January 7, 2009, in 45 days from the date of the order.

Further, it said that no listed company or intermediary registered with Sebi to be engaged with any audit firm associated with the PW network for issuing any certificate with respect to compliance of statutory obligations which Sebi is competent to administer and enforce, under various laws for a period of two years.

These entities have been charged under Sebi’s prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices (FUTP) regulation. “I find that the auditors have failed in showing any evidence to the effect that they had done their job with standards of professional duty and care as required. The auditors were well aware of the consequences of their omissions which would make such accumulated and aggregated acts of gross negligence scale up to an act of commission of fraud for the purposes of the Sebi Act and the Sebi (FUTP) regulation,” said G Mahalingam, wholetime member, Sebi, in a 108-page order....Read More 

Bhima-Koregaon: When new Dalit leadership faces off with Hindutva project

The educated Dalit doesn't just want a ride on the bus of democracy; it wants to be at the steering wheels

Maharashtra saw violent protests after clashes between Dalits and some Maratha groups in Bhima Koregaon. Dalits had gathered in Pune to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima Koregaon. These clashes and the subsequent protests brought the focus back on Dalit assertion and its conflict with Hindutva politics. The writer analyses this conflict in this Business Standard Special.

The determination and force of the response of the Dalits to the violence at the Bhima Koregaon has unsettled the BJP governments of the state of Maharashtra and the centre. It has also baffled the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. This time it has not been easy for the BJP and the governments to denounce the protests the way could do in the past. Previously the Student leaders of the JNU were successfully branded as anti-national. The students and teachers of the Ramjas college of the university of Delhi were also declared anti-national. Before them, the student unrest - mainly led by Dalits - at the central University of Hyderabad was condemned as casteist and anti national. This time the response from the centre’s of power has been slightly complex.

It is true that the RSS tried to blame the violence at the Bhima Koregaon on Umar Khalid and Jignesh Mevani. It did say that the Bharat tere tukde honge gang was responsible for the violence. But interestingly, this time this allegation could not create the kind of frenzied attack on these leaders as we have seen on the previous occasions directed at Kanhaiya, Umar and others....Read more

Dire health warnings on cigarette packages to stay: Supreme Court

The Karnataka HC last month struck down central govt rules requiring 85% of a tobacco pack's surface to be covered by health warnings

 

The Supreme Court on Monday put on hold a lower court's order that quashed central government rules mandating larger health warnings on tobacco packages, in a setback for the country's $11 billion tobacco industry.

The High Court of Karnataka state last month struck down central government rules requiring 85 per cent of a tobacco pack's surface to be covered in health warnings, up from 20 per cent earlier. The rules had been in force since 2016.

The Supreme Court, which heard petitions brought forward by tobacco-control activists, stayed the Karnataka court's order on Monday, citing the need to protect the health of citizens.

"Health of a citizen has primacy and he or she should be aware of that which can affect or deteriorate the condition of health," the Supreme Court said in its 13-page order.

"Deterioration may be a milder word and, therefore, in all possibility the expression 'destruction of health' is apposite."

The court's decision comes as a relief for health advocates and central health ministry who say bigger health warnings deter tobacco consumption. More than 900,000 people die each year in India due to tobacco-related illnesses, the government estimates.

India's tobacco packaging rules are among the world's most stringent.

A government survey last year found that 62 percent of cigarette smokers thought of quitting because of such warning labels on the packets.

The court's decision is a blow to cigarette makers such as India's ITC Ltd and Philip Morris International Inc's Indian partner, Godfrey Phillips India Ltd, whose representatives call the rules extreme. In protest at the health warning measures, the industry briefly shut its factories across the country in 2016 and filed dozens of legal cases…….read more