Najeeb case: Record witnesses’ statements, HC tells Delhi Police

HC BENCH SAYS THE 9 SUSPECTED STUDENTS CANNOT BE FORCED TO TAKE LIE DETECTOR TEST

Noting that there was delay in recording statements of students suspected to be behind the disappearance of JNU student Najeeb Ahmad, the High Court on Friday asked police to record statements of witnesses.

A division bench of justices Vipin Sanghi and Deepa Sharma asked why the statements of witnesses were not recorded by Delhi Police after Ahmed went missing in October last year after an altercation.

“What is the nature of the threat? What words were used for threatening?” asked the bench, directing the police to record statements of persons present at the time of an altercation between Ahmed and nine students belonging to ABVP.

Police submitted analysis reports of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, regarding contents of Ahmed’s laptop and mobile phone and of the nine students’ phones.

Police said according to the report, the movement of mobile phones of the nine students were shown in the hostels during the time of Ahmed’s disappearance.

Ahmed, 27, a first year MSc student, had slapped one of the nine students during an altercation in the hostel and in return they allegedly threatened him. Ahmad later went missing on the night of October 14-15.

Advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for the police, said the nine students have neither given their consent nor refusal for a lie detector test in the case. He said the students should come forward and take the polygraph test. To this, the bench said that they cannot be forced to undergo the lie detector test.

The oil ministry had announced plans to introduce daily price revision of petrol and diesel in five cities from May 1, ahead of a nationwide rollout of the plan.

In a presentation to a panel of lawmakers, Pradhan emphasised on efforts made by his ministry and oil marketing companies (OMC) to promote digital payments through cards and e-wallets at fuel stations.

State-run oil companies are giving 0.75% discount to customers on purchase of fuel through cashless modes. Over 72,000

“An internal review has already started on what contents require changes and to ensure that they keep pace with the changes in the market and surroundings. We have an internal group working on this,” said a senior NCERT official. Earlier, the Council used to examine and review only those books for which it received feedback, especially history, said sources.

Schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodya Vidyalayas, among others, follow NCERT curriculum.

Officials claimed that the review of textbooks was different from revising the curriculum, which was last done in 2005.

“Demonetisation which took place last year is something that the textbooks don’t carry currently. But this is something that students have to be taught. Similarly, if monsoon maps have been updated, they can be included in the books. We will know what all needs to be updated once all books are examined by our officials,” another senior NCERT official said.

“Anything that is reviewed and updated is good,” said Ameeta Mulla Wattal, Principal, Springdales School, Pusa Road.