11-year delay in deciding on mercy petition cruel, degrading punishment' Amnesty International has expressed concern over the imminent execution of Mahendra Nath Das of Jorhat in Assam following the rejection of his mercy petition by President Pratibha Patil recently. In a statement, the AI said the 11-year delay in announcing the verdict of the mercy petition and the resultant prolonging of the stay on death row might amount to cruel, inhuman and...

-The Times of India   Babli Devi can finally hope for justice if the CBI inquiry into her husband's death comes to fruition. The wife of the MGNREGA workerSubal Mahto, allegedly killed for asking for his wages after digging a well, has welcomed the proposal of a CBI inquiry by the Centre. The 50-year-old resident of Bhatua village of Bokaro had died on February 19 after being thrashed by his contractor...

-PTI   Jharkhand PCC today welcomed the Union rural development ministry's recommendation for CBI probe into two cases of Murder, apparently related to corruption and wage demands in MGNREGA scheme. "There are numerous instances of corruption cases in MGNREGA schemes and the CBI probe will unearth them," PCC general secretary-cum-spokesperson Sailesh Sinha said here. "The recommendation has come as a deterrent to the authorities, who are responsible to implement schemes under MGNREGA," he...

Allegation that Ansari was killed by Naxalites is a ploy: report NEW DELHI: Debunking claims of the Jharkhand government, the Union Ministry of Rural Development has called for a CBI inquiry into the Murder of whistle-blower Niyamat Ansari charging that there was an attempt to cover up the Murder. It called for “serious action” against Latehar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rahul Purwar for alleged dereliction of duty and failure to prevent funds...

-The Times of India   National Commission for SCs may summon officials of Gautam Buddh Nagar, claiming that two dalit boys were missing since the police action on Bhatta Parsaul. NCSC chief P L Punia's day-long visit on Thursday to the villages hit by farmer-police clashes appeared an extension of Congress's campaign against UP chief minister Mayawati, starting with Rahul Gandhi 's sensational charge of mass Murder and rape. Punia said dalit boys...