India

New Delhi, Nov 6 (PTI) Delhi's air quality continued to be in the "very poor" category on Wednesday as schools reopened in the national capital.

The air quality index was recorded at 324 on Tuesday morning while last night it was at 309.

Mumbai, Nov 6 (PTI) Amid the stand-off over government formation in Maharashtra, senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut meet NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on Wednesday.

"This was a courtesy call," Raut told reporters later.

Thane, Nov 6 (PTI) A member of Chinchwad-based 'Mama' gang was arrested by the Thane police's crime branch for allegedly abducting a minor girl, police said on Wednesday.

Suresh alias Anna Mochi (25) had kidnapped a 16-year- old girl from Chinchwad on October 30, an official said, adding that an offence was registered under section 363 (kidnapping) of the Indian Penal Code at Chinchwad police station.

Mumbai, Nov 6 (PTI) NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday asked the BJP and Shiv Sena to form government in Maharashtra at the earliest, and asserted that the NCP and Congress will work as a "responsible opposition".

Addressing a press conference here after meeting senior Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, Pawar ruled out joining the Uddhav Thackeray-led party in government with the outside support of the Congress.

Nagpur, Nov 5 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah should provide "answers" about alleged hacking of mobile phones of political leaders, journalists and activists in the country, the Congress said on Tuesday.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was among those who were informed by messaging app WhatsApp recently that their phones had been hacked for snooping purposes by a spyware, the Congress had claimed earlier.

Addressing a press conference here, party spokesperson Pawan Kherasaid, "The government has no answers on snooping.

New Delhi, Nov 4; GANASHAKTI: Taking serious note of the Chhattisgarh government's tapping the phones of a senior IPS officer and his family members, the Supreme Court Monday observed, "no privacy is left for anybody".

It asked the state government as to whether right to privacy of a person can be violated like this.

A bench of justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee asked the Chhattisgarh government to file a detailed affidavit explaining as to who ordered the tapping of phones and the reasons for it.

New Delhi, Nov 5 (PTI) The Congress on Tuesday said the police protesting on the roads in the national capital is a "new low" for India since independence.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala asked whether this is BJP's 'New India' and wondered where the ruling party is taking the country to.

"A new low in 72 years - Police on protest in 'National Capital of Delhi'.

Kolkata, Nov 4 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Sushmita Dev Monday lashed out at the BJP government at the Centre for the "economic mess" in the country, which she said, has pushed it towards financial emergency.

Dev, who is the president of All India Mahila Congress, also criticised the Centre over the recent snooping scandal and said the "authoritarian government has been caught red handed".

Nagpur, Nov 4 (PTI) A 24-year-old man and his 22-year-old brother were arrested on Monday for allegedly raping a 24-year-old woman in Nagpur in Maharashtra in August this year, police said.

The woman had come into contact with the main accused, Mukesh Raut, through an online dating site.

"Mukesh invited the woman to his residence in Sant Tukdoji Nagar on August 13 and sexually assaulted her. His brother also joined him in the act," a police officer said.

He said the brothers shot nude photos and videos of the woman.

New Delhi, Nov 4 (PTI) With India deciding not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Congress on Monday claimed victory saying its forceful opposition ensured that the BJP government backs out from bartering the interests of farmers, dairy producers, fishermen and small and medium businessmen.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it is a win for all those protecting national interests.