India

New Delhi, Dec 21 (PTI) Russia on Monday supported India's vision for the Indo-Pacific but at the same time criticised the Quadrilateral coalition or Quad, saying it would be detrimental to inclusive dialogue for ensuring peace and stability in the region.

New Delhi, Dec 21 (PTI) A PIL seeking to establish special anti-corruption courts in every district to decide cases related to various economic offences like money laundering and tax evasion within one year has been filed in the Supreme Court.

The PIL filed by BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay has also sought directions to high courts to take appropriate steps to decide cases related economic offences.

New Delhi, Dec 21 (PTI) Intensifying their agitation against the Centre's new agri laws, farmers began their day-long 'relay' hunger strike on a chilly Monday morning at all sites of protest on Delhi's borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Protesting farmers will participate in the hunger strike in batches and the first has 11 members, according to farmer leaders.

Balrampur (UP), Dec 20 (PTI) Two people were arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl in Utraula Police Station area, an official said on Sunday.

According to the victim's mother, the accused took away her daughter on Thursday evening after luring her. They then raped her, police said.

However, the girl managed to escape and informed her family members after returning home, they said.

Based on the complaint, a case has been registered against the accused, police said, adding that both have been arrested and jailed.

Chandigarh, Dec 20 (PTI) A 22-year-old Punjab farmer, who returned from a protest site near Delhi border, has allegedly committed suicide after consuming some poisonous substance, the police said on Sunday.

Gurlabh Singh, a resident of Dayalpura Mirza village of Bathinda district, had been part of the protest near the Delhi border.

He had returned to his village on Friday, they said.

The police said he consumed some poisonous substance on Saturday at his home.

He was taken to the nearest hospital where he was declared brought dead .

Bolpur (WB), Dec 20 (PTI) Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will likely meet farmer unions agitating at the borders of the national capital for repeal of three farm laws in a day or two, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday.

Several rounds of talks with farmers' representatives have failed to break the deadlock.

"I am not exactly aware of the timing but Tomar is likely to meet the representatives of farmers tomorrow or the day after to discuss their demands," Shah told a press conference.

Hyderabad, Dec 20 (PTI): Expressing solidarity with the farmers protesting at Delhi borders against the Centre's new farm laws, members of different organisations including farmers organisations and Left parties held a dharna here on Sunday.

Diverse citizen groups from various walks of life joined the dharna and declared that they stand with farmers and support their demands for repeal of the three new farm laws, a release from the AIKSCC (All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee) said.

Bengaluru, Dec 20 (PTI) The BJP and JD(S) in Karnataka on Sunday dismissed reports of their merger after a saffron party leader opined that political polarisation was likely in the state, giving rise to speculations about the parties coming together.

Both Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy termed media reports in this regard as 'imaginary'.

"I have a feeling that the political polarisation will intensify in the coming days in the country... The Modi wave and the BJP wave is clearly visible..

Saharanpur (UP), Dec 20 (PTI) Police here arrested a ration depot operator for an "objectionable post" against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on a WhatsApp group, an official said on Sunday.

Superintendent of Police (City) Vineet Bhatnagar told PTI that Mohammad Kamal had circulated an "objectionable post" against the chief minister a few days ago.

New Delhi, Dec 21 (PTI) Asserting that growth patterns must follow a human-centric approach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said discussions on global growth cannot happen only among a few as the "table must be bigger" and the agenda broader.

Addressing the 6th Indo-Japan Samwad Conference via video conferencing, Modi said in the past, humanity often took the path of confrontation instead of collaboration