New Delhi: The court trying the December 16 gang-rape case yesterday rejected the plea of the defence lawyer for two of the accused that the trial be held on alternate days even as it again pulled him up for “stalling proceedings” by failing to appear. Citing Section 309 (power to postpone or adjourn proceedings) of CrPC), Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna rejected the plea of Mukesh and Akshay’s advocate M L Sharma, who said he did not get “enough time” to spend with his clients and needed one day’s time prior to cross-examining the prosecution witnesses.
Puducherry to screen over-30s for disease
Chennai: The Puducherry government, in partnership with two pharmaceutical firms, will start a mass screening programme for its 700,000 citizens over 30 years of age for non-communicable diseases, an official said. This is the first time that a government is undertaking such a programme in the country. The screening process is likely to begin next month. It will cover ailments like diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia (abnormal levels of cholesterol or fat in blood) and thyroid problems. People diagnosed with any ailment will be given a health card for follow-up.
Karnataka lawmaker in sex scandal
Bangalore: A CD allegedly showing Karnataka BJP lawmaker Raghupathi Bhat in compromising acts has surfaced, prompting him to announce that he would not contest the May 5 assembly polls in the state. Bhat, a second-time lawmaker from Udupi, about 400km west of Bangalore, denied he was the man shown in the CD and sought a probe to establish the truth. State Bharatiya Janata Party president Pralhad Joshi said the party would take action only after it was proved the man in the CD was Bhat.
IANS
