Allahabad High Court disapproves use of term ‘South Terror’ in Popular Front of India case
The Hindu
It however doesn’t import malice, it says dismissing plea of accused to transfer probe to CBI
The Allahabad High Court has disapproved the use of the term “South Terror” by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad for the outfit Popular Front of India, two members of which were arrested in February on allegations that they were planning to target leaders of ‘Hindu’ outfits and strike at ‘sensitive’ spots in the northern state with terror attacks. The court made the observation while dismissing a petition filed by one of the accused men Anshad Badarudheen through his brother, who had sought transfer of the investigation in the case from the ATS to the CBI. Mr. Badarudheen’s counsel had argued that the investigation was not being carried out in a free and fair manner and alleged that the State authority and investigating agency were prejudiced and biased against the petitioner as he was a member of the PFI. The PFI, the petitioner’s counsels argued, had been labelled as “South Terror” on the portal of the U.P. ATS.The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.