News in brief from across Gujarat

Ahmedabad, 18 July 2014

-A 9-member delegation from Gujarat has departed for Pakistan visit to review the conditions of Indian fishing boats captured by Pakistan Marine Security Agency(PMSA). The delegation will take stock of the situation of Indian fishing boats at Karachi port by 21st of this month and will also hold meetings with Pakistan government seeking the boats back. Pakistan used to release Indian fishermen along with their boats in the past. But for last few years, Pakistan has started releasing only Indian fishermen after they complete their term, but without their boats. Each fishing boat costs in range of 15-20 lakh. There are around 800 Indian boats in custody of Pakistan at present. Pakistan had in the past auctioned some Indian fishing boats.

-Another witness in Ahmedabad BMW hit and run case involving Vismay Shah turned hostile today. This is the third witness who has turned hostile. Earlier the complainant Lalit Gupta and two panch witnesses turned hostile in this case. Today another witness Dinesh Chaudhary turned hostile. Chaudhary faced tough time to leave after he turned hostile inside the court. Some people chased him and attacked him verbally. Both Gupta and Chaudhary demanded police protection. The court granted their appeal.

-The Gujarat High Court today completed hearing in the Gujarat Housing Board computerized draw case. The court is likely to deliver verdict in this case on Tuesday. Those who won priority allotments in previous draw have challenged government’s decision to scrap the draw and cancellation of allotments. It should be noted that the results of previous computerized draw were scraped following confirmation that the execution of software of draw was faulty. The state government has already announced that the draw will be conducted again through national government agency NIC. The issue involves over 8,000 housing units and more than 50,000 applicants.

-The court has sent Sunil Kakkad of Sai Infosystem to police remand upto 21st of this month.

-Campaigning for Junagadh Municipal Corporation polls ended today evening. Gujarat Congress President led Congress party’s campaign on the last day while BJP’s last day campaign was led by former Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Rupani. Polling shall take place on Sunday, July 20th.