Minister mask off property agents

New Delhi (PTI): The CBI has arrested two persons who allegedly spoke to gangster Sundar Bhatti over phone posing as Union minister of state Manik Rao Gavit.

CBI sources said the two, Vinod Kumar and Krishna Kumar, were real estate agents.

While Krishna posed as Gavit during their conversation with Bhatti, who was lodged in Bulandshahar jail, Vinod would pose as the minister’s private secretary.

The duo was in touch with Bhatti who, in turn, would help them in their real estate business.

These conversations were aired by Zee News, prompting the government to launch a CBI inquiry to ascertain the identity of the callers after the agency, with the help of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, gave a clean chit to Gavit.

Notices in sex racket case

New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Jammu and Kashmir government and the CBI on a petition filed by 13 accused in the Srinagar sex scandal seeking transfer of the trial outside the state.

A bench of Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal also issued notices to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court bar association and the government on another petition filed by the CBI.

The investigating agency had challenged an August 11 high court directive to hold custodial interrogation of all public functionaries named by Sabeena, the alleged mastermind of the sex racket.

The apex court had partially stayed the high court order on August 18.

Couple burnt

Muzaffarnagar (PTI): A couple was burnt to death after the wife allegedly set herself afire and held her husband in an embrace at a village here.

The couple, parents of two children, suffered 90 per cent burns and died in hospital on Sunday. They had a dispute over financial issues, police said.

Indian workers

Dubai (PTI): Around 140 Indian and Bangladeshi workers in the Saudi city of Hail have gone on a strike for the second time in two months demanding payment of unpaid wages over the past year. The workers are involved in the maintenance and cleaning of various hospitals and healthcare centres in the region.

Singer drowned

Dubai (PTI): A singer of Indian origin drowned during a picnic party in Bahrain in a drunken state. Rajesh Patel drowned when the 17 people who were partying went for a swim, the Gulf News reported.

A Kuala Lumpur-based Indian plans to create a 3D film on the myths involving Lord Ganesh. Sharad Sharan has directed several award-winning soap operas for Indonesian television.