India

Thane, Jul 18 (PTI) Senior inspector Pradeep Sharma, one of the famous `encounter specialists' of Mumbai Police, has resigned, sources said Thursday evening.

Sharma, who heads the Anti-Extortion Cell of Thane police at present, was not available for comments.

However, sources in the police department said he had tendered resignation earlier this month as he wanted to join politics, and the resignation has been accepted.

Agra, Jul 19 (PTI) A massive greening drive is to be launched soon to curb environmental pollution in the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone of Agra spread over 10,400 sq km, said officials Friday.

Alarmed at the sharp pace of denudation due to the large-scale construction and expansion of infrastructural facilities, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced a target of planting 22 crore saplings by the end of August, said Forest Department officials.

New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday invited suggestions from people for his Independence Day speech, saying it will allow thoughts of the common man to be heard by the entire nation.

For the past four years, Modi has directly invited ideas and suggestions from people for his Independence Day speech which is made from the ramparts of Red Fort.

"I am delighted to invite you all to share your valuable inputs for my speech on 15th August," he tweeted.

Bengaluru, Jul 19 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Friday asserted he would not misuse power to save his government, as he spoke on the confidence motion moved by him in the Assembly to decide the fate of his ministry.

In his speech seeking the trust vote with Governor Vajubhai Vala asking him to prove his majority by 1.30 p.m Friday, Kumaraswamy charged that an atmosphere was created from day one that "this government will go" and it was unstable.

"After 14 months (in power), we have come to the final stage," Kumaraswamy said.

Kanpur: Just near the Circuit House in Cantt area here, there exïsts Shaheed Park. It is not as beautiful as it should actually be. The flowers are not blooming in its closed area, though trimmed plants are there. The beautifully designed fountain which used to be working was no longer oozing out water. The four-side light posts standing on the shining black stone podium are broken in one corner. The rows on the ground are giving the proof that the gardener devoted time but the saplings lack buds. It may be due to the summer.

Bengaluru, Jul 18; GANASHAKTI: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Thursday moved a confidence motion in the Assembly as the fortnight-long political drama in the state headed for a climax on the fate of the Congress-JDS government.

Facing a truncated strength caused by the en masse resignation of 16 ruling coalition MLAs, Kumaraswamy moved a one-line motion, saying the House expressed confidence in the 14-month old ministry headed by him.

Chandigarh, Jul 18 (PTI) The Punjab and Haryana High Court Thursday issued notices to the Jammu and Kashmir government and six men convicted in the case of rape and murder of an eight-year-old nomadic girl in Kathua on a plea by her father seeking enhanced punishment for them.

The court also issued a notice to the accused who was acquitted in the case by a lower court.

Ballia (UP), Jul 18 (PTI) A 10 year-old girl was allegedly raped by a minor boy in a village here, police said on Thursday.

The girl was playing near a village temple when the 17-year-old accused lured her into his house on the pretext of showing her an animated film and alleged raped her on Tuesday, SP Devendra Nath said.

An FIR was lodged at the Nagra Police Station on the basis of a complaint from the girl's mother, Nath said.

The accused has been apprehended, the SP said, adding that the medical examination of the girl is being conducted.

Palghar, Jul 18 (PTI) A court here in Maharashtra has awarded life imprisonment to a 37-year-old man and his friend for killing a woman in 2017.

Additional Sessions Judge A U Kadam in her order on Tuesday convicted the accused - Manoj Chavan and his friend Baburao Yesankar (47) - both residents of Vasai area here, under Indian Penal Code Section 302 (murder) and also imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 each on them.

New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) The Supreme Court Thursday declined urgent hearing on a plea seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against some states for their alleged failure in curbing lynching incidents.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose said there was no urgency to hear the contempt plea.