At least 15 persons were injured in a clash over the attempt by a group of saffron activists to enforce bandh in Neemuch town, around 240 km from here, on Tuesday. The situation was tense till the report was filed. The administration has clamped prohibitory orders in a busy market area.

The rioters freely used swords and continued to clash even after the police used tear gas shells to quell them.

Trouble started at noon when some saffron activists in suburban Baghana tried to enforce closure of shops. They were assaulted by some sword- wielding youths.

Hindu activists had called bandh to protest police action against a temple priest who was booked for murder of a member from Muslim community.

The Hindu groups were protesting police action against Trilok Pandey, priest of Madhopuri Balaji temple. He was accused of beating to death one Latif on March 12. He was arrested and sent on judicial remand.

Tension gripped the town in the afternoon when the saffron activists tried to force shopkeepers of Bagana area of Neemuch to down the shutters and faced resistance.

As two groups clashed, they pelted stones at each other and damaged goods in shops. A car was also set afire by the miscreants.

Police resorted to lathi charge to quell the mob. "Prohibitory order under Section 144 was clamped in Bagana police station area," Superintendent of Police (Neemuch) T Amongla Aiyer told DNA. The situation is under control, she said adding police force was posted in strength to prevent any flare-up.

Informing police about hooliganism in a multistoreyed building in Vijay Nagar area cost an engineering student and his mother dear on Tuesday morning. They were assaulted with sharp-edged weapons and critically injured by the miscreants.

The incident occurred around 8 am, when four youths knocked at the second floor apartment of the victims in Manali Apartment at Scheme No 54 in Vijay Nagar. When a woman Sarita opened the door, she noticed four persons (later identified as Ankush Kushwaha, Kailash, Siyaram and a minor boy) standing there, asking her for water to drink. As soon as she brought them water, Ankush and Kailash assaulted her, stabbing her in the waist with knives. Hearing her screams, her son Ankur rushed to the door and took on the assailants. They however assaulted him too, stabbing him four times in the abdomen. On this, Sarita rushed out of the flat and raised an alarm. Hearing her cries, other occupants of the building rushed to their help. The assailants immediately fled from the spot. The residents informed the police and a Baz Squad reached the spot and nabbed Kailash. Ankush and the minor boy were also nabbed after police conducted raids at various locations in afternoon.

The profusely bleeding victims were admitted to a private hospital where condition of Ankur is reported critical. He is a student of Acropolis Engineering College while his mother works at Dugdh Sangh at Manglia.

The incident was an outcome of an argument that Sarita had with the accused after she objected to their acts of obscenity in inebriated condition on Monday night. The accused were consuming liquor at flat of Siyaram on third floor of the Apartment. After heated arguments, both the parties had gone to Vijay Nagar police station. They however had arrived at a compromise and no complaint was filed.

A case of attempt to murder was registered against the four accused and police are searching for absconding accused Siyaram.

Zahida Parvez, the main accused in the murder case, created a sensation in the court premises by alluding to the “mastermind” in the case on Tuesday.

“There is the mastermind in the case …jiska pehle naam aya hai “, shouted out Zahida to scribes standing outside to get a byte from her.

“The investigation is shoddy and the truth is yet to emerge”, she shouted before she was whisked away by CBI sleuths out of media glare.

Zahida reiterated her innocence and indirectly accused CBI of framing her in the murder.

The special CBI court on Tuesday extended judicial remand of four accused in the RTI activist’s murder till April 11. They include Zahida, Saba Farooqui and two alleged shooters Shaqib ‘Danger’ and Irfan. They were produced before the special CBI court of judicial magistrate Dr Shubhra Singh.

Pradeep Gupta, the defence counsel of BJP MLA Dhruvnarayan Singh, whose name also figured in the murder case, filed a petition saying the court was misled by CBI on the polygraph test conducted on his client.

The CBI had to conduct a lie detector test on Singh twice on March 19 and March 24 as earlier lie-detector test could not be completed because of continuous fluctuation in his blood pressure.

Referring to the petition, senior public prosecutor Hemant Shukla told reporters that “the special CBI court has neither accepted it nor rejected it”.

In another instance the court dismissed the petition filed Shaqib’s wife Noorjahan. She alleged that the CBI was torturing her husband in custody.

She insinuated that her husband was innocent and the alleged murder weapon retrieved from their house in Bhopal recently had been planted.

The CBI had claimed it recovered the .315 bore country-made single shot pistol and empty cartridge stuck in the barrel from a pigeonhole in Shaqib’s house

The agency counsel also had nothing to say on yesterday’s development when alleged sharp shooter Tabish Khan refused filing statement. Reacting to the denial in making statement under section 164 of CrPc in connection with the murder of the 32-year-old activist, Shukla said, “It is the willingness of the accused…CBI can not force him to make a statement”.

Malwa region, particularly Indore is a major transit point for converting Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) through labour contractors, disclosed National Investigating Agency (NIA) on Monday. A two -member team of the investigating agency reached Indore on Monday to probe large-scale circulation of FICN.

NIA team will gather inputs about clandestine network in Dhar, Ujjain, Barnagar, Ratlam and Neemuch, a source said. The sources said labour contractors are known to act as conduits for FICN.  “The fake currency notes are deposited in small bank branches and fresh notes are collected through ATMs in larger cities,” he said.

The NIA team’s visit follows busting of a racket and subsequent arrests in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bangalore around 15 days ago.

The gang members confessed to using labour contractors to get fresh and valid currency notes in cities where pace of infrastructure development is high. Cash transactions are carried out in a large number, the NIA sources said.

The breakthrough came during interrogation of Imran Manzoor and Jenab Hasan of Kairana, Muzaffarnagar. They were arrested by NIA near Chandini Chowk area in New Delhi. FICN worth `9.85 lakh were recovered from them.

The FICN with face value of `1000, `500 and `100 is smuggled into India from Pakistan using Dubai as a transit route, the NIA source said.

“The FICN was being smuggled into India by Pakistan based FICN dealer Iqbal Kana, also a resident of Kairana Tehsil. He has been operating from Pakistan for many years,” he said.
Iqbal had dispatched this FICN from Pakistan to Dubai and from Dubai Mohd Ashraf, a close associate of Iqbal, sent the consignment to another associate in Bangalore.

The Bangalore operative then forwarded the FICN to the arrested accused, who are members of Iqbal Kana’s core group in India, for further circulation.

“Local agents collect 60% of the value of FICN circulated from the circulators in genuine notes. As per deal, the genuine currency is then remitted to the bank accounts of the key persons by depositing amounts to the maximum of 49,000 to avoid being detected as suspicious transactions,” the NIA document says.

Indore will be decked up to impress potential investors who will attend the proposed three-day Global Investors’ Summit slated to begin from October 28 this year.

Around 1,000 delegates from India and abroad are expected to be a part of this conclave. This is second global meet in Indore after 2007.

A high-level review meeting to take stock of the preparations of the proposed summit decided to give a facelift to the city ahead of the mega event.

Significantly, the state plans to only reinforce brand Madhya Pradesh. It is not inclined to focus much on inking MoUs as the experience in this regard has not been very encouraging.

State’s industry minister Kailash Vijayvergiya, who chaired the meeting, issued directives to IMC officers to make arrangements for sprucing up roads and other cleanliness exercises.

He also instructed for monthly review of the preparations. Three prospective venues were visited by top officials on Monday to identify one for the summit, said AKVN chief general manager HR Mujalde. The minister will discuss city makeover plan ahead of the summit with divisional commissioner Prabhat Parashar and other top officials of various agencies.

The minister also directed for formation of various sub-committees to supervise various event related issues and programmes.

The Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is soon going to start construction of a flyover connecting densely- populated localities with a major part of the city. It will benefit thousands of residents in localities between Bengali Square and Kanadia bypass intersection.

According to IMC, PWD, in-charge, Jawahar Mangwani, the fly over will be constructed at the cost of `33 crore and it will start from Telephone Nagar to Malhar Rao Holkar statue. With construction of this flyover, residents of around 12 posh colonies including Bijali Nagar, Sanchar Nagar Main and extension, Vaibhav Nagar, Manavta Nagar, Alok Nagar, Morya Residency will be benefited. Traffic jam is the order of the day at Bengali Square as it is the only way to go to bypass.

A large number of industrialists from Saket Nagar use this way to reach Dewas in absence of an alternative route in this area. One arm of the bridge will lead to Kanadia while the other will be diverted towards Bicholi Happsi. It will be spread in around 1.5 km stretch.

Last year, two bridges were inaugurated at Banganga over bridge and Bhandari. Work on Banganga bridge was started in 2009 and was completed in 2011. These two bridges were, however, delayed by two years. Works at Kesar Bagh railway over bridge and Panchkua bridge are going at a slow pace.

While Mangwani claims that within two months the work at Panchkua bridge will be completed. However, there is no sigh of completion at the Kesar bagh over bridge, as the houses are proving as a major hurdle in its way.

Residents of this locality are not ready to shift at other places and Indore Development Authority is trying to remove the hurdle.

Tabish Khan, an accused in the murder of RTI activist Shehla Masud, did a volte-face, refusing to record his statement under section 166 of Cr Pc before a special CBI court on Monday.

Tabish was produced in the court of special judge (CBI) Dr Shubhra Singh for recording statement. He had been presented before the court earlier too.

As statement given under Section 164 of CrPC can be used as evidence against an accused, the court asked him to inform within 48 hours whether he was willing to record his statement.

One of the prime accused and alleged contract killer Irfan Ali was produced before magistrate on March 24 to record his statement under Section 164 of CrPC.

On reporters asking him whether he had confessed to the crime, Irfan shook his head in negative. Earlier Zahida Parvez, the prime accused, already recorded her confession under section 164 CrPC while her friend and co-accused Saba Farooqui refused to do so.

Irfan is in judicial custody till April 3. Saba Farooqui and Shaquib Ali ‘Danger’ are also in remand till April 3. Tabish is in judicial remand till April 11.

Tabish is a cousin of another accused Bhopal- based Shaquib Ali ‘Danger’ who alleged to have orchestrated the murder at behest of prime accused Zahida Pervez.

The Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM-I) will hike annual fees by Rs 50,000 from this year. IIM-Indore director N Ravichandran told DNA that the fee structure of the institute is being revised after three years.

“Presently, the annual fee is Rs 6 lakh per annum, which is being revised upward to Rs 6.5 lakh per annum,” he said.
After revision of the fees structure, total fees of the two- year programme will be Rs 13 lakh.

However, special waiver will be offered to deserving students from economically weaker families.

“The concession for students from economically weaker backgrounds is always there and will continue “said Ravichandran. The IIM-I also has plans to launch some new courses.

“We will come out with a plan regarding new courses probably in June,” he said. The institute had increased intake of students in the (2010-2012) batch 250 to 450.

450 students realise their IIM dreams

The convocation ceremony of the IIM-I on Saturday saw 450 students of three different courses being awarded degrees and conferred with titles of ‘Fellow of Indian Institute of Management Indore’.

The 13th passing out batch of the institute followed more than a decade old tradition of walking down the hallowed precincts of the Institute toward the convocation lawn along with the chief guest, board members and other faculty members of the institute.

Five FPM participants were conferred title of Fellow of IIM Indore, 433 PGP were conferred the Post Graduate Diploma in Management and 39 EPGP participants were conferred the Executive Post Graduate Diploma in Management during the convocation. IIM-I chairman LN Jhunjhunwala presented the titles and diplomas to the students.
Infosys chairman KL Kamath, who was the chief guest, awarded the medals for Academic Excellence to the students.

Addressing students, Kamath spoke about the exciting future that awaited the graduating class in the growing India. He observed that young leaders in an interconnected world must be sensitive to the priorities that need to be in focus for India’s potential to translate to reality.

IIM-I director congratulated the students and emphasised to the graduating batch, the significance of managing oneself in the personal and professional life. He advised the students to perform their duties with the highest level of integrity and passion.

While electrification on Indore-Ujjain route has been completed and trains plying on the route will be operated by electric engines by second week of April, those on Dewas-Maksi route will have to do with diesel engines as electrification work on the route is yet to be completed.

The trains include Indore-Bhopal intercity, Panchvalley Express, Indore-Maksi Passenger, Nagpur Express, Amritsar Express, Indore-Kota Intercity, Indore Jabalpur-Intercity and Indore Jabalpur overnight Express.

On Friday, tests were carried out on Indore- Ujjain line. Head of railway electrification, MP Singh, along with deputy chief electric engineer Sanjay Kumar, inspected cabling work done from Manglia to Indore. Sources said that a report has been submitted to Western Railway headquarters in Mumbai and once a go ahead is received, the electric line would be made operational. Sources further said that all work and testing had been completed successfully and permission from the headquarters is a mere formality.

A Congress leader’s son was shot dead over property dispute in Banganga area on Saturday afternoon. The shootout triggered dramatic episodes, wherein first the main accused fled the crime scene when a policeman tried to snatch rifle from him.

Half an hour later, a police inspector was injured in a scuffle with one of the relatives of the deceased who was rushing to the house of the accused with loaded gun. Panic prevailed in the area and heavy police force was deployed to avert any untoward situation.

The shootout occurred at around 1pm in Chhoti Kumharkhari of Banganga area, when a meeting was going on at Ramdas Patel Ki Madhushala to settle a plot dispute.

Sunny Yadav, the son of Congress leader and former corporator KK Yadav, was invited to settle the dispute. Assu Patel, Rajesh Patel and over a two dozen youths were also present from both the sides.

Fight for supremacy led to murder

Names of some youths of the area have surfaced during probe and a reward of Rs 10,000 has been announced for their arrest. However, it was not known what exactly provoked the firing. Residents of locality heard gun shots and informed the police immediately.

A posse of policemen reached the spot and found Sunny lying in a pool of blood in his car outside the Madhushala. Rohit Yadav, a constable of Baz Squad reached the spot in few minutes after the shootout and noticed that Sunny was shot in his groin while Assu Patel was reloading his rifle.

“I saw Sunny lying unconscious in his car while Assu was loading his 12 bore rifle,” Rohit told DNA.
He snatched the rifle from Assu and also caught hold of him. However, the accomplices of Assu managed to free him and fled from the spot, abandoning the rifle. Sunny was immediately rushed to Gokuldas hospital where he succumbed to bullet injuries. The news spread like wildfire in the area and a large number of supporters of the Congress leader came out on the main road.

“During preliminary investigation names of some youths of the area have surfaced behind the murder. A reward of `10,000 was announced for their arrest,” SP D Shrinivas Verma told media persons. Residents of locality said a dispute had erupted around a month ago over the same plot. Sunny wanted to prove his influence while Assu too wanted to retain his supremacy in the area. Soon a heavy police force arrived the spot.

Soon after learning about the incident, police noticed a Bolero jeep speeding towards the house of the accused. Sub-inspector SK Andhman of Banganga area intercepted the vehicle.

When police asked the persons travelling in the jeep, a man wielding rifle came out and argued with the police officer insisting to allow him to go. During the scuffle, the rifle went off. The sub-inspector was hit in his ankle.
Soon the other cops present on the spot overpowered the assailant and took him to police station and seized his rifle. Though police have yet to disclose details, the man was identified as Komal Yadav, a younger brother of the Congress leader KK Yadav.

SSP scolds subordinates: SSP A Sai Manohar also reached the spot and asked the subordinates why did not they open fire below waist if they saw someone daring to assault police personnel.
According to some eyewitnesses, a tiff ensued afterwards. Former Congress MLA Ramlal Yadav alias Bhallu Yadav objected to SSP’s remark, saying if he had already asked his relatives and supporters to refrain from taking law in hand there was no need to issue such a directive.

The indefinite strike of the Sarafa traders entered 16th day on Thursday. The market continued to wear a deserted look.

A group of traders have persisted with the hunger strike for third day even as a traders’ delegation called on Congress spokesperson Anil Shahstri and briefed him about their demands.

Traders are claiming that the strike has completely crippled trading in the city. The jewellery market has suffered a loss of more than Rs 30 crore till date.

Jewellers across the country are protesting the Centre’s decision of levying excise duty on non-branded jewellery announced in the general budget.

Sarafa associations president Mukund Soni said that the traders continued hunger strike for the third day and no trading took place in the market. The jewellers urged the government to roll back the imposition of taxes and excise duties in the gems and jewellery sector. Soni affirmed that the strike would continue till the excise duty is rolled back. Sarafa chaupati traders also have extended support to the agitating traders. They kept their street side establishment closed on Thursday.

This is perhaps for the first time that Sarafa market has remained closed for such a long period.

Apart from the city, the market also attracts buyers from the region. Earlier, jewellers also organised a peace candle march to protest the union government’s decision.

A CBI court on Thursday sent the accused tractor driver to judicial remand till April 11. The driver, Manoj Gurjar is accused of mowing down IPS Narendra Kumar Singh when he tried to stop the tractor, allegedly laden with the stone from illegal mining. Gurjar was driving the tractor.

He will be lodged in the Indore Central Jail.

Gurjar was brought to Indore from Morena and produced before the Special CBI Court of Dr Subhra Singh on Thursday by the Madhya Pradesh Police.

Narendra Kumar Singh (30), a Bihar cadre IPS officer, was killed in an attack by the mining mafia at Banmore in Morena district on March 8, 2012. He was posted as the Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP). State government has handed over the case to CBI after the Sigh’s wife, who is an IAS officer, sought a probe by the central agency into the incident.