Vishal Rana, the son of local Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sanjay Rana, was arrested on Saturday for the lynching of Mohammed Akhlaq, who was killed on Monday by a mob that thought he had consumed beef. Vishal Rana is allegedly the main instigator in the case, the police said. Akhlaq’s relatives had told the local administration that it was Vishal Rana who coerced a local priest to make an announcement on the temple loudspeaker that the family had slaughtered a calf and stocked the meat at home. Vishal Rana's cousin Shivam Rana was also arrested, as was an Uttar Pradesh Homeguard, whose name was given as Vinay. Earlier in the day, amid increasing tension in the village, where several journalists were attacked, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal visited Akhlaq’s family.
Contradictory reports about Indrani’s condition
The dean of JJ Hospital in Mumbai claimed that there were high levels of anti-depressants in the urine of Sheena Bora murder accused Indrani Mukerjea. However, a government-run forensic laboratory report said there was no evidence of a drug overdose. Mukerjea was taken to hospital on Friday after she suspected to have overdosed on some medication while being held at Arthur Road Jail. The dean said that Mukerjea remains in a stable but critical condition.
Merkel visit to India today
As German chancellor Angela Merkel arrives in India for a three-day visit on Sunday, increasing investment and improving market access is set to be the major focus of her trip. India is expected announce a special clearance mechanism to encourage investments from Germany and the European Union, officials said. India presented a 10-point agenda for Merkel’s visit. The items include teaching Sanskrit in German schools and issues related to defence, infrastructure and intellectual property rights. Germany is India’s largest trading partner in Europe.
India to help ease supplies to Nepal
With the shortage of essential goods in Nepal reaching critical levels, India said it would make an effort to ease supplies wherever possible. However, this may not alleviate the situation fully as protests continue along parts of the border. Kathmandu had earlier raised concerns over India’s “unofficial blockade” with the United Nations. India had rejected these allegations, saying it can only take goods up to the border, and Nepal must ensure that they are transported safely after that.
Pakistan army chief calls Kashmir ‘unfinished agenda of Partition’
The world community needs to step in to help bring peace to Kashmir, which is an “unfinished agenda of partition”, General Raheel Sharif, Pakistan’s army chief said on Saturday. Addressing a defence think tank in London, Sharif said cross-border violations and India’s refusal to compromise were affecting the region. He added that efforts were being made to improve the security situation Pakistan, which was growing as an economy.