Indian Sub-continent

New Delhi, Apr 29 (PTI) There is a "large presence" of Chinese vessels in the Indian Ocean Region and India keeps a "very close watch" on the developments in the region to protect and preserve its national interests in the maritime domain, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said on Saturday.

During an interaction at a conclave here, he also said that the Indian Navy is seized of the docking of various PLA Navy ships at ports in Pakistan, and it is "keeping a watch on it".

Ahmedabad, Apr 29 (PTI) The Gujarat High Court will hear on Saturday Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's appeal challenging the order of the Surat sessions court declining a stay to his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark.

Gandhi's appeal will be heard by Justice Hemant Prachchhak on April 29, the cause list published by the high court said.

Bengaluru, Apr 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address three public meetings and hold a road show in Karnataka on Saturday as he embarks on a two-day visit to the poll-bound state.

Since February this year, this is Modi's ninth visit to Karnataka where Assembly elections to 224 seats are due on May 10.

New Delhi, Apr 27 (Amanpreet Singh, PTI) Dismissing the allegation that he has threatened the sexually harassed wrestlers and their families on behalf of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, coach Mahavir Prasad Bishnoi on Thursday said he is ready to be hanged if proved guilty.

Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia in their recent media interaction claimed that Bishnoi and the secretary general of Haryana wrestling association, Rakesh, have not only threatened the victims but also offered them bribe to "keep quiet".

Pilibhit (UP), Apr 28 (PTI) A 45-year-old man who was serving a five-year jail term at the district prison here died after his health suddenly deteriorated, officials said on Friday.

His family members, however, alleged that he was murdered by the jail authorities. The wife of the deceased, Satyendra, has sent a complaint to the district magistrate in this regard.

Meerut (UP), Apr 28 (PTI) A man was arrested from an ashram in Hastinapur area here on Friday for allegedly killing a Delhi Police head constable, officials said.

The accused has been identified as Ganeshanand alias Ganpat, they said.

Superintendent of Police (rural) Kamlesh Thakur said that Delhi Police Head Constable Gopichand went missing on March 26. His wife Rekha lodged a police complaint on March 27 at Sardhana police station, following which an FIR was registered.

New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has come out in support of the wrestlers protesting here against the wrestling federation chief, accusing him of sexual harassment, and said action should be taken against the guilty.

The wrestlers, who have accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation, have been demanding that an FIR be filed against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader since they resumed their agitation on April 23.

Bhopal, Apr 28 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate on Friday said it has found alleged "diversion" of crores of rupees and misappropriation of church assets as part of a money laundering probe against an arrested former bishop of the Church of North India (CNI) in Madhya Pradesh.

The former bishop, Dr P C Singh, was arrested by the ED last month from Jabalpur district of the state and is currently in judicial custody.

New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) The Delhi Police Friday registered two FIRs in connection with sexual harassment allegations levelled by women wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

On the complaints received from female wrestlers, two FIRs have been registered at the Connaught Place police station, a senior police officer said.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s Parliament voted Friday to support the implementation of a four-year International Monetary Fund program aimed at solving the country’s economic crisis and reducing its debt burden.

The proposal, introduced by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also finance minister, was approved by a vote of 120 to 25 after a three-day debate.