Gadkari apologises to Scindia
New Delhi, July 26 : Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday apologised to Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia in the Lok Sabha after he said he was not invited to an official function in his constituency in Madhya Pradesh and that his name was missing from the plaque.
The foundation-laying ceremony of the Rs 3,900-crore Shivpuri-Devas four-lane project was held on July 23.
As the Zero Hour started, Scindia said: "The local MPs should be invited for such programmes as per the protocol. But if the rules would be flouted and local MPs are insulted, then I am moving a privilege motion."
He said he wanted to move a privilege motion against the Chief Minister (Shivraj Singh Chouhan).
In reply, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways apologised since the function was organised by his Ministry, and admitted that it should not have happened. He also said that he has inquired into the matter and found it to be true.
"I am aware of this and since I was present there (at the inauguration), I should be held responsible. The parliamentarian's name should have been there. This was a mistake. I apologise on behalf of everybody and this will not happen again," said Gadkari.
A war of words ensued between Scindia, supported by Congress MP K.C. Venugopal, and BJP MPs Ganesh Singh (Satna, Madhya Pradesh) and Narendra Singh Tomar, who is the Rural Development Minister.
Scindia was not satisfied with the reply and said that interests of the members of Parliament should be protected and action taken against those responsible for the mistake since it was a matter of breach of privilege of the lawmaker.
Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that MPs should not be treated in this manner. Kharge demanded that the Speaker should give an instruction that the MPs should be invited for official functions.
Replying to him the Speaker said: "The government has already instructed that the MPs should be invited for official functions in their constituencies. But, wherever this is not happening, they should be invited."
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had to intervene as Scindia was not ready to relent. "Do I have to apologise? If you don't allow me to speak, how will I give protection? Should I use a stick to provide protection?"
"I appreciate that Gadkariji showed greatness in tendering an apology but this should not be the conduct on the other side."
"This is not how one should conduct (in the house). This is not a good attitude," said Mahajan.
Tomar said that the matter should not be politicised as the Minister had apologised.
"It is wrong not to invite the Congress MP, but during the UPA rule, BJP MPs were not invited to such events. Which BJP MP was invited during UPA rule? when Gadkariji has apologised, this should be a closed chapter now," said Tomar.
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
