36 Maoists Killed In Encounter Along Dantewada Border In Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR, Oct 4: Thirty-six Maoists were shot dead by security forces in a forest along the Narayanpur-Dantewada border in Chhattisgarh today, according to sources.

The District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF) began the anti-Maoist operation yesterday, and contact happened at 12.30 pm today, sources said, adding the encounter is going on.

Several assault rifles including AK series and other weapons have been recovered, sources said.

Following intelligence reports of a large Maoist presence, separate teams in the joint operation were sent yesterday to villages in Govel, Nendur and Thulthuli under Orcha and Barsur police stations. They launched combing operations in these villages.

The encounter broke out at noon today in the forests near Nendur-Thulthuli. Using extreme caution, the security forces are pursuing a few remaining Maoists who have retreated deeper into the forest, sources said.

This encounter marks one of the biggest successes for the security forces in their fight against the Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo said it was a big operation and congratulated the security forces.

Supreme Court Orders Special Probe Into Laddoo Row

NEW DELHI, Oct 4: The Supreme Court has ordered an independent probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the allegations of using animal fat in laddoos served as prasad at the Tirupati temple. The SIT will comprise two CBI officers, two state police officials, and a senior officer from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the central food regulator, the court said.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan said they do not want political drama over this since it is a matter of faith for crores of devotees across the world. The allegations have the potential of hurting the sentiments of people worldwide, the bench said, but did not go into the political charges.

"We clarify that we have not gone into allegations and counter allegations in either plea. We will not permit the court to be used as a political battleground. To assuage feelings of crores of people, we find that an investigation by an independent SIT consisting of representatives of state police, CBI, and FSSAI, shall be done. We also direct that investigation is under the director of CBI," said Justice Gavai.

The case stems from an allegation by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu that animal fat was used in the making of the laddoos at the temple during the previous regime led by Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the centre, told the court it was unacceptable since devotees from across the country visit the temple and there are food safety reasons as well.

"Nobody doubts it's a very serious matter if there is substance in allegations," observed Justice Gavai.

After Mehta submitted there was nothing wrong with the state SIT that's probing the charges and it could be supervised by a central officer, the court ordered an independent SIT probe to be carried out under the CBI director.

"FSSAI is the most expert apex body in matters of testing food. We don't want this to turn into political drama. If there is an independent body, there will be confidence," said Justice Gavai.

Chandrababu Naidu last month flagged a report from a government-run lab that said samples from ghee used for making the laddoos at the temple contained traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and pig fat. At least two tankers supplying ghee to the temple were found to be adulterated.

The charges sparked a massive political controversy with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan repeatedly calling for a pan-India committee to protect 'sanatan dharma' and even undergoing an 11-day penance.

Former Chief Minister Jagan Reddy had denied the report as "false" and accused Naidu of "using faith for politics".

The temple authorities, meanwhile, have accused their ghee supplier of exploiting the temple's lack of in-house food testing facilities, due to which it was not possible to conduct routine quality checks.

The Tamil Nadu-based dairy firm that had supplied ghee to Tirumala in June and July had claimed that its consignments had cleared lab tests and that it had documents to prove it.

Supreme Court pulls up Delhi LG for holding MCD standing committee election in haste

NEW DELHI, Oct 4: The Supreme Court on Friday questioned Delhi LG VK Saxena's exercise of power over the election of the sixth member of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) standing committee. The top court issued a notice on Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi's petition challenging the election process, which kept her out of it.

The Supreme Court further asked the LG how he could exercise such power. It also held that the LG's move interfered with the democratic process as Section 487 is an executive power. "It is not to interfere with legislative functions. It's the election of a member. What happens to democracy if you keep interfering like this?” the Supreme Court asked VK Saxena

A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan heard the matter and has scheduled the next hearing after two weeks. Advocate Sanjay Jain represented the Delhi governor.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi approached the Supreme Court challenging the election of the sixth member of the MCD standing committee, which was held on September 27.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycotted the election alleging that the process was contrary to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act.

A major contention highlighted in the mayor's petition is the decision to appoint an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer rather than the mayor as the presiding officer of the election.

The SC bench asked Sanjay Jain what was the “tearing hurry” to hold the MCD elections in the absence of Shelly Oberoi. The apex court further questioned the LG's decision to exercise Section 487 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, stating that is not to be used for “interfering with legislative functions."

“What is the tearing hurry (in holding the elections)? What is the hurry?... What is the tearing hurry...and then, there are other issues also with respect to the nomination part of it..much worse...the Mayor is to preside the meeting...Where do you get the power to interdict all this under Section 487? 487 is an executive power it is not to interfere with legislative functions,” said Justice Narasimha