Court slaps fine on Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, wife for not appearing in MCC violation case
Guwahati, Feb 25: The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kamrup Metropolitan on Friday slapped a fine of Rs 2,000 on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma while accepting their plea to defer appearance in a case related to alleged violation of model code of conduct during Lok Sabha polls in 2019.
Before accepting the joint plea by the two, there was a bit drama in the courtroom with the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) A K Baruah issuing a bailable warrant (of Rs 1,000 each) against Sarma and his wife as they failed to appear and there was no representation on their behalf till 10:55 am.
However, the duo's advocate reached the courtroom later at 11 am and submitted two petitions on their behalf.
In the first petition, Sarma and his wife prayed for adjournment to give more time and also requested furnishing of copies of documents not yet received from the complainant. The second plea was for recalling the warrant.
The advocate of the accused mentioned that the Chief Minister was busy with the visit of the President of India to Assam, while his wife was also busy with her pre-fixed engagements.
"...to do justice to both the parties, the prayer of the two accused for allowing adjournment for four weeks time for appearance is partly allowed on condition of payment of cost of Rs 2,000," the court order said.
The Judge also recalled the warrant, against them "on condition that the two accused will appear before this Court on next date" and fixed March 21 for their appearance.
The case was filed by the Additional Chief Electoral Officer in May 2019 against Sarma, who was a minister holding several portfolios in former chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal's government, and News Live TV Channel for allegedly violating model code of conduct (MCC) in 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Sarma's wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma is the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Assamese news channel.
Baruah in an order on February 11 had asked both to appeare on February 25.
In his order on February 11, the CJM had noted that according to the complaint, the two accused, Sarma and the News Live Channel owned by Pride East Entertainments Pvt Ltd represented by the then Chairman-cum-Managing Director, had prima facie violated the MCC of Lok Sabha election.
The channel, had telecast a live interview of the present chief minister "at 7.55 PM on April 10, 2019, that is within 48 hours of the 1st Phase of Polls scheduled on April 11, 2019".
The Election Department had filed the case after receiving complaints from the then President and General Secretary of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC).
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India beat Japan 2-0, to face China in final of women's ACT hockey
Rajgir (Bihar), Nov 19: Defending champions India continued their unbeaten run and defeated Japan 2-0 to enter the final of the women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Tuesday.
Vice-captain Navneet Kaur converted a penalty stroke in the 48th minute while Lalaremsiami struck from field play in the 56th minute for India, who had plenty of scoring chances including 13 penalty corners.
India will face China, whom they defeated in the league stages, in the final on Wednesday. Earlier, China beat Malaysia 3-1 in the first semifinal.
Malaysia will take on Japan in the third-fourth place match, while Korea finished fifth after beating Thailand 3-0 in the fifth-sixth place classification match.
The Indians continued their attacking game and put on early pressure on the Japanese defence, just like the last league game.
The play was mostly inside the Japanese half as the Indian defence was hardly tested.
India had the first shot at the goal inside the initial five minute. Skipper Salima Tete's attempt was thwarted by Japanse goalkeeper Yu Kudo.
The Indians repeatedly penetrated the Japanese citadel and in the process secured two penalty corners in a span of two minutes but Kudo was alert under the bar to deny Navneet Kaur and Deepika.
Three minutes into the second quarter, India secured three back-to-back penalty corners but failed to find the back of the net.
It was raining penalty corners for the hosts as they got back-to-back set pieces in the 21st minute but Kudo produced a brilliant save with her fully-stretched right leg to deny Deepika again.
In the 24th minute, India earned a penalty corner followed by another in the next minute but failed to get past Japanese goalkeeper Kudo, as they also lacked in execution.
A minute after the change of ends, India secured two penalty corners but wasted both.
In the 35th minute, Kodu again denied Deepika from a set piece.
In the 41st minute, Deepika stole the ball just outside the Japanese circle, but shot wide from a one-on-one situation with Kudo.
Seconds from the end of third quarter, Kudo once again pulled off a brilliant save to deny Udita from another penalty corner.
In the 47th minute, India secured their 12th penalty corner but failed to breach Kudo.
But a minute later, India broke the deadlock through a penalty stroke earned by Deepika and Navneet made no mistake.
The goal seemed to have rejuvenated the Indians as they scored a fine field goal in the 56th minute.
Lalremsiami slammed into the back of the Japanese goal after she was brilliantly set up by Sunelita Toppo's terrific run from the right flank.
Japan got a penalty corner in the dying moments, but failed to get past a rock solid Indian defence.
