The big news: Congress crisis continues as one more leader in Goa quits, and 9 other top stories
Other headlines: Sushma Swaraj asked Islamabad for updates on missing Indian clerics, and clergy accused in the rape of a minor surrendered to Kerala Police.
A look at the headlines right now:
- ‘Digvijay Singh behind Goa floor test loss’, says Congress leader Savio Rodrigues as he quits party: The NCP issued a show-cause notice to its lone MLA for supporting the BJP during trust vote in the Assembly.
- Sushma Swaraj seeks updates from Pakistan on two missing Indian clerics: There are conflicting reports on where Syed Asif Ali Nizami, 80, and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami were last seen.
- Priest, nuns accused of concealing the rape of a minor surrender to police in Kerala: Father Thomas Joseph Therakam, Betty Jose and Sister Ophelia had protected Father Robin Vaddakumchiryil, who allegedly raped the teenager last year.
- AIIMS nurses go on mass leave to demand better pay, ER services shut down in Delhi: Only essential surgeries have been carried out on Friday at the premier hospital.
- Fifteen of 37 Indian fishermen detained in Iran ports get ‘freedom order’ from court: They have been in custody since October 2016.
- EVMs are tamper-proof, says Election Commission: The polling monitor clarified that its voting machines were different from those used abroad and said comparisons were ‘misplaced’.
- New UP chief minister to be sworn in on March 19 though BJP remains undecided: State party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya will decide on the CM, but reports claimed Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha is likely to be appointed to the post.
- Irish woman was raped before being killed near Goa’s Deobagh beach, confirm police: They have also located the murder weapon – a broken beer bottle – from a bag that was stuffed with the woman’s clothes.
- Justice CS Karnan demands Rs 14-crore compensation from seven judges for ‘disturbing his mind’: Calcutta High Court judge also passed an order directing the CBI to investigate his complaint of corruption against 20 sitting and retired judges.
- Nifty opens above 9,200 for the first time, Sensex soars over 120 points: ITC’s stocks climbed 7.25% after the GST Council limited the cess on tobacco and cigarettes at 290%, while other cigarette manufacturers also made gains.