Rupee rises 8 paise to 85.58 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): The rupee rose 8 paise to 85.58 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday amid a positive opening in the domestic equity markets and robust foreign capital inflows.
However, rising global crude oil prices and a strengthening US dollar against overseas currencies capped sharp gains in the local unit, according to forex traders.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 85.62 against the greenback before rising further to 85.58, higher by 8 paise against its previous close. The local unit appreciated 2 paise to close at 85.66 against the US dollar on Monday.
"The rupee is expected to remain in the range of 85.45-85.95 today (Tuesday). As markets await the outcome of US-China trade talks, the rupee has gone into a shell within the broad range of 85-86 with daily inflows and outflows deciding the movement on either side," Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director, Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, said.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) purchased equities worth Rs 1,992.87 crore on a net basis on Monday, according to exchange data.
"For the day, importers may buy near 85.45 while exporters may sell above 85.80 (intra-day)", Bhansali said.
In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose 99.12 points, or 0.12 per cent, to 82,544.33 on Tuesday morning, while the Nifty rallied 32.15 points, or 0.13 per cent, to 25,135.35.
"The US dollar was steady as trade talks continued. The economic officials from the two countries (US, China) sought to defuse a bitter trade dispute while investors were less than willing to place major bets," Bhansali added.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading higher by 0.2 per cent at 99.13.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.33 per cent to USD 67.26 per barrel in futures trade.
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NCW chief condemns rape-murder of 4-year-old girl in Pune, calls for swift action
New Delhi (PTI): National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has condemned the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Pune, calling it "deeply distressing" and a "blot on humanity".
The girl was allegedly raped and killed by a 65-year-old labourer, who has a criminal record, in Bhor tehsil of Pune on Friday. The accused allegedly lured the child to a cattle enclosure on the pretext of giving her food. After raping her, he killed her by hitting her with a stone, according to police.
The accused has been arrested.
In a post on X on Saturday, Rahatkar said the incident in the Nasrapur area in Pune was heartbreaking and has shaken society.
"The brutal torture and murder of a four-year-old innocent girl in Nasrapur (Bhor, Pune) is deeply painful, heartbreaking, and shocking. It is a blot on humanity," she said.
She said Pune Rural police has arrested the accused and noted that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar have assured strict action in the case.
Rahatkar said the NCW has taken cognisance of the matter and written to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), requesting the body to ensure necessary and prompt action.
It has also been recommended that the case be pursued under stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and be closely monitored from the filing of the chargesheet to proceedings in a fast-track special court to ensure time-bound justice, she added.
Ensuring justice for the victim and stringent punishment for the accused is a collective responsibility, the NCW chairperson underlined.
In a post on X, the NCW said it has taken suo motu cognisance of the extremely "heinous" incident.
"This heinous crime causes profound pain and outrage, and it highlights serious concerns regarding the safety of young girls," it said.
Strongly condemning this grave "inhuman act", the NCW said such crimes constitute a serious violation of children's rights and raise questions about society's security system.
