Briefly National

Government subsidy to Muslims for Haj pilgrimage or similar benefits for other religions is not violative of the Constitution,the Supreme Court has said.

Haj subsidy doesnt violate statute: SC
NEW DELHI: Government subsidy to Muslims for Haj pilgrimage or similar benefits for other religions is not violative of the Constitution,the Supreme Court has said. The court rejected the argument that Haj subsidey amounted to violation of Articles 14 (equality),15 b (non-discrimination) and 27 (no public taxing for promoting any religion). A Bench of Justices Markandeya Katju and Gyan Sudha Mishra made the remarks while dismissing a petition filed by former BJP MP Prafull Goradia challenging the constitutional validity of the Haj Committee Act,1959.

American fraudster held in Mumbai
NEW DELHI: An alleged fraudster,who is wanted by the American authorities for cheating a bank of $300,000,has been arrested at the international airport in Mumbai. The accused identified as Dan Boayke Agyenm,56,had an Interpol red corner notice against him. According to CBI,Agyenm flew in from Ghana on an expired passport. He was later handed over to the police. The accused is alleged to have minted money out of counterfeit cheques,which were submitted for clearance in a California branch of a US bank.

One lynched after abduction attempt
HARDWAR: A 22-year-old youth was lynched and three beaten up when they tried to abduct a girl after she broke up with one of them,police said Friday. Parvez and his accomplices barged into Deenanaths house and tried to take his daughter,20,with them. A crowd gathered when the family raised alarm. The four were beaten up. The injured were rushed to hospital where Sajid was declared brought dead.

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Nitish gets Columbia Business School invite
PATNA: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has got an invitation from Columbia Business School to deliver the keynote address on inclusive growth and his vision for Bihar at the 7th India Business Conference in New York on April 1. Confirming the development,the Chief Ministers Office said Kumar,who termed the invite a matter of honour for the people of Bihar,was keen to honour the invitation depending on his schedule.

Serving,ex-CBI officer get Presidents Medal
IPS officer P Kamaraj,a 1987 batch officer and presently posted with the CBI in Mizoram,was awarded the President’s Police Medal for distinguished service on Republic Day. Another senior official,B K Sharma,a 1986 batch IPS officer and presently posted as commissioner Cuttack,was also awarded the President’s Police Medal. He has also served as SP and DIG with the CBI between 2006 and 2008.