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18 Indians among 23 killed in factory fire in Sudan
Khartoum, Dec. 4 (PTI): At least 18 Indians were among 23 people killed and over 130 injured in a horrific LPG tanker blast at a ceramic factory in Sudan, the Indian mission said here on Wednesday. Sixteen Indians were missing after the incident that happened at Seela Ceramic Factory in Bahri area in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Tuesday. "As per latest reports, but so far not confirmed officially, 18 are dead," the Indian Embassy said in a release. "Some of the missing may be in the list of the dead which we are still to receive as identification is not possible because of the bodies being burnt," it added. Official sources in New Delhi said 68 Indians were working in the factory. "Deeply grieved to learn that some Indian workers have lost their lives while some others have been seriously injured," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.
Law student who accused Chinmayanand of rape gets bail
Lucknow, Dec. 4 (IANS): The 23-year-old law student, who accused former Union Minister Chinmayanand of rape, has been granted bail by the Allahabad High Court, two months after she was arrested on charges of extortion. Chinmayanand was arrested on September 20 after the 23-year-old woman, a student of a law college in Shahjahanpur, accused him of rape. Chinmayanand filed a counter-complaint in which he alleged that the law student and three boys were trying to extort Rs 5 crore from him. Police arrested four people -- including the law student -- on charges of extortion after a video clip in which they are seen discussing the issue went viral. The woman had alleged that Chinmayanand, who runs several ashrams and educational institutions, had sexually exploited her after helping her with admission into his law college last year. He allegedly filmed her taking a bath at the hostel, blackmailed her with the video and raped her.
Sabarimala council to continue with protests to protect temple's sanctity
New Delhi, Dec. 4 (PTI): The All India Sabarimala Action Council (AISAC) will continue with its protests democratically to ensure that the sanctity, customs and traditions of the Ayyappa temple is protected with no menstruating woman (in the 10-50 age group) visiting there, its general secretary S J R Kumar said on Wednesday. "We will continue with our fight legally in the Supreme Court" to ensure that the meditation of celibate god Ayyappa is not disturbed by women of such age group, Kumar told PTI over the phone from Kochi. His reaction comes even as the Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to hear the plea of a Kerala woman, alleging that she was prevented from visiting the temple despite the apex court's verdict allowing entry of women of all ages into the shrine, next week.
Karnataka by-polls: INR 21 lakh seized in 24 hours
Bengaluru, Dec. 4 (IANS): The Election Commission on Wednesday said it seized INR 21.4 lakh in cash in the legislative assembly by-elections bound Karnataka. "Our flying squads and surveillance teams with the help of police have seized INR 21.4 lakh in cash in the last 24 hours," said an official. Cumulatively, the surveillance teams have so far seized cash worth INR 5.7 crore, vehicles worth INR 3.5 lakh, sarees and blouses worth INR 30.8 lakh and party accessories worth INR 27,000. The Election Commission has deployed 323 flying squads and 578 static surveillance teams to enforce the poll code in all the 15 Assembly segments, including five in Bengaluru, seven in the state's northwest region and two in the old Mysore region. Also, 2.25 lakh litres of liquor, valued at INR 4.7 crore has been seized by authorities enforcing the model code of conduct while 16,545 arms were deposited since the start of MCC and 4,753 non-bailable warrants have been executed.