Journalist booked for anti-Shivaji Maharaj remarks held from Telangana
Mumbai/Pune, Mar 24 (PTI): Maharashtra Police arrested Nagpur-based journalist Prashant Koratkar from Telangana on Monday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against 17th-century Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji.The arrest comes after a formal case was registered against Koratkar in Kolhapur concerning his controversial statements."We have taken him into custody and a police team is bringing him to Kolhapur. Further legal procedure will follow," Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit said.
During investigation, police found Koratkar's location in Telangana and a police team was rushed immediately to arrest him. He will be presented before a court in Kolhapur after being brought back to Maharashtra.
Koratkar was booked on February 26 under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions for promoting hatred or enmity among groups on the basis of an audio conversation between him and Kolhapur-based historian Indrajeet Sawant.
Koratkar had allegedly made the objectionable comments during this conversation, which Sawant posted on social media, resulting in widespread outrage and calls for the former's arrest.
Earlier, Additional Sessions Judge DV Kashyap had granted him protection from arrest till March 1, following which Kolhapur police approached Bombay High Court seeking cancellation of this interim protection.At the time, the Bombay HC asked the Kolhapur sessions court to hear the matter.
On March 18, the court of Additional sessions judge D V Kashyap in Kolhapur rejected Koratkar's anticipatory bail plea.
While seeking pre-arrest bail, Koratkar had claimed his phone was compromised and that the audio was doctored. He also mentioned that he had issued a public apology.
He had also contended that Sawant’s decision to release the video before registering the FIR was intended to incite communal tensions and provoke breach of peace.
On Saturday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis refuted allegations that police is shielding Koratkar, who is based in the senior BJP leader's home town Nagpur.
"Police are looking for him and action will be taken against him wherever he is," the CM had asserted.
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Gold, silver soar as US-Iran deal hopes lift bullion demand
New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices rebounded by Rs 2,900 to Rs 1.55 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday, while silver climbed to Rs 2.54 lakh per kilogram as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a pullback in oil rates, boosting demand for precious metals.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, the yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity jumped by Rs 2,900, or nearly 2 per cent, to Rs 1,55,400 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Tuesday's closing level of Rs 1,52,500 per 10 grams.
Traders attributed the surge in bullion prices to reports that Washington and Tehran are close to finalising a framework agreement to end months of conflict, raising the prospects of smoother flows through the Strait of Hormuz and easing inflation concerns tied to energy markets.
"Gold rallied strongly on Wednesday as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a sharp reversal in key macro drivers that had recently pressured precious metals," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
Silver prices also advanced for the third straight session by rising Rs 3,500, or 1.4 per cent, to Rs 2,54,500 per kg (inclusive of all taxes). The metal had settled at Rs 2,51,000 per kg in the previous session, as per the Association.
"The prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough triggered a steep decline in oil prices and the US dollar, easing concerns about inflation while boosting demand for precious metals," Gandhi said.
Globally, spot gold increased by USD 106.15, or 2.33 per cent, to USD 4,663.70 per ounce while silver gained USD 3.40, or 4.68 per cent, to USD 76.24 per ounce.
"Gold witnessed a sharp rally as markets reacted positively to reports that the US and Iran are moving closer to a one-page agreement framework aimed at ending the conflict," Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said.
Despite strong international gains, rupee strength limited the upside in domestic gold prices. The market is now highly focused on final confirmation and execution of the proposed deal, he added.
Any negative surprise or breakdown in negotiations could trigger a sharp sell-off in gold, while a successful agreement and sustained ceasefire could push the bullion prices higher in the near-term, Trivedi said.
