Barc probes radiation leak

Mumbai (PTI): The Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (Barc) has begun a departmental inquiry to dig out facts about the alleged radiation exposure at its Tarapur waste immobilisation plant (Wip) two months ago.

“Three persons have been called for the departmental inquiry, which began three days back,” a Barc top official said on Thursday.

The inquiry is taking place under the supervision of Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar as it is a serious case of alleged indiscipline, the official said.

Three employees of Wip were allegedly exposed to radiation from a small sample bottle containing a few drops of radioactive liquid on April 17 during the second or third shift. There was, however, no over-exposure and their health was “normal”, the officer added.

The departmental inquiry began simultaneously with the detailed inquiry of the security forces at Barc and “this is based on the in-depth analysis of the information collected over the last two months”, he said.

“We will be using a set of procedures laid down by Barc and we will give the suspected persons a chance to defend themselves before filing the chargesheet against them,” the official said.

Rapti Sagar express looted

Hoshangabad (PTI): Armed dacoits struck a second-class sleeper compartment of the Bangalore-Gorakhpur Rapti Sagar Express on the Nagpur-Itarsi section and escaped with cash and ornaments, railway police said on Thursday.

The incident took place between Pola Patthar and Kalaakhar stations near Itarsi on Wednesday, the police said. Darkness and dense forests in the hilly area acted as cover for the accused who fled while pelting stones at the train.

The chain was pulled to stop the 5091 Down express train and the looters boarded the general compartment. They jumped coaches and reached the S11 compartment as the passengers slept, the police said.

The dacoits snatched gold ornaments, wrist watches and cash from the passengers before Railway Police Force jawans on the train swung into action.

Spurious liquor kills nine

Bareilly (PTI): Nine persons died and 36 fell ill after consuming spurious liquor in two villages of the district.

Six people died and 24 fell ill at Deosat village on Wednesday night while three died and 12 fell sick after drinking the spurious liquor at a wedding ceremony at nearby Nagaria village, police said. In both cases, the liquor was bought from local vendors.

Telgi aide in net

New Delhi (PTI): The CBI has arrested the key aide of Abdul Karim Telgi, kingpin of the stamp paper scam, in Mumbai. Abdul Gaffoor Mujahid was involved in spreading the racket in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. He was arrested after a CBI team from Bhopal gathered evidence against him, the bureau said.

AIDS cure plea

Mumbai (PTI): Bombay High Court has admitted a city-based doctor’s petition urging a directive to the Centre and other authorities to examine his research on AIDS cure and grant recognition to the study based on herbal and holistic treatment of alternative medicine. Dr Natwar Manilal Doshi said he wrote several letters to the authorities but did not get any response.

Cell jammer in jail

Mumbai (PTI): A mobile phone jammer will be installed at Arthur Road Jail to block all phone calls made by gangsters, Maharashtra minister of state for home Kripashankar Singh said on Thursday. The decision followed complaints that said gangsters lodged in this central Mumbai jail were using cellphones to carry out illegal activities.

HC bench delay

Chennai (PTI): The inauguration of the Madurai bench of Madras High Court, which was scheduled for July 17, has been postponed to July 24. The change was necessitated by the non-availability of Chief Justice of India R.C. Lahoti, sources said.

Boy drowns

New Delhi (PTI): A four-year-old boy drowned in a pond at a farmhouse in south Delhi. Sharan Choudhary, a resident of Jammu, had gone to the farmhouse with his mother. Police said no foul play is suspected.

Tiger Hill, which hit headlines during the Kargil war, will be promoted as a tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. Located in Drass at an altitude of 3,000 metres, the move will boost the area’s economy, said chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.