Prime suspect in Phoolan murder arrested
In a crucial breakthrough in the Phoolan Devi murder case, police here today arrested the prime suspect, Sher Singh Rana alias Pankaj Singh, who is said to have confessed to the crime to avenge the massacre of 22 Thakurs in Behmai by the former `bandit queen' in 1981.

Pankaj 'proud'
Pankaj Singh, who according to police has confessed to the murder of the Samajwadi Party MP, Phoolan Devi, today said he was ``proud'' of gunning down the former bandit queen to avenge the massacre of 22 Thakurs in Behmai.

BJP decries opportunism among NDA allies
For the first time since the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government came to power, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed disapproval of the manner in which the NDA has functioned - with its constituents leaving it for their own purposes, and then seeking to re-enter as unceremoniously.

One-match ban for Ganguly
The Indian cricket team captain, Saurav Ganguly, has been suspended for one match for showing dissent during his team's 67-run loss to New Zealand in the triangular one-day tournament here on Thursday.

Advani statement on July 31
The Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, will make a detailed statement in the Lok Sabha on the murder of the Samajwadi Party MP, Phoolan Devi, on Tuesday. Given the strong feelings on the subject among the MPs, members will be allowed to seek clarifications from the Minister.

UTI: bail plea rejected
Rejecting the second bail plea of the former UTI chief, Mr. P.S. Subramanyam, and three others in the multi-crore UTI scam, a special court today directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to come out with a white paper to ensure that all aspects and ramifications of the alleged fraudulent investment of Rs. 32 crores by the accused in the Lucknow-based Cyberspace Limited, were covered.

Palm oil duty cut
India has conveyed to Malaysia its decision to reduce the duty on import of crude palm oil by 10 per cent. The hike in palm oil import duties had dominated much of the visit of the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, to Kuala Lumpur in May this year. India had said at the time that it would ``review'' the hike.

Centre seeks 'services' of Chennai Police Commissioner
The postings of two senior police officers from Tamil Nadu threaten to erupt into a Centre-State row. The question that has arisen now is whether the Centre can transfer an IPS officer without the concurrence of the State Government?

Musharraf sends invitation to Vajpayee
The Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, tonight formally invited the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, to visit Islamabad at the latter's earliest convenience.

India willing to accept 29 prisoners
New Delhi is willing to accept 29 of the 31 prisoners, claimed by Islamabad as Indians, as it believes that the two women among them could be Sri Lankan citizens.

Enron wants to pull out of Dabhol project
The U.S. energy major, Enron wants to pull out of the Indian power project and expects the Indian Government to buy out its stake in the $2.9 billions Dabhol Power Project near Mumbai.