A Delhi court has ordered the attachment of fugitive Vijay Mallya's properties in Bengaluru in a case relating to FERA violations.

 Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Deepak Sherawat issued fresh directions after the Bengaluru Police, through Enforcement Directorate sought more time to execute its earlier order in this regard.

The court directed the state police to attach the properties by July 10, the next date of hearing. Mallya was declared a proclaimed offender by the court on January 4 last year for evading its summons in the case. 

It had declared Mallya a proclaimed offender for evading summons in a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FERA) violation case after noting that he had failed to appear despite repeated summonses.

The court had on May 8 last year directed the attachment of Mallya's properties in the case through the Bengaluru Police commissioner and sought a report on it.

Tata Coffee on Friday announced the appointment of Chacko Purackal Thomas as the managing director and chief executive officer. He will replace Sanjiv Sarin, who retires on 31 March. He will assume the charge from April 1, 2019.

Thomas, currently working as the executive director and deputy CEO of the Tata Group firm, has been associated with the company since 2015.

In a statement to the NSE, Tata Coffee said Thomas has a Bachelor degree in Science, with a specialisation in Computer Science from the University of Jodhpur. He has over 27 years of experience in the plantation industry.

Before joining Tata Coffee, Thomas was managing director, Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Limited, Munnar.

Vice Admiral Karambir Singh was appointed as the next Navy Chief by the government. Singh will succeed Admiral Sunil Lanba who retires on May 31.

Singh was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the Eastern Naval Command previously.

Singh was commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1980, the Admiral earned his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1982 and has flown extensively on the Chetak and Kamov helicopters. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai and has served as Directing Staff in both these institutions.

In his career spanning nearly 36 years, the Admiral has commanded an Indian Coast Guard Ship, a Naval Missile Corvette as well as Guided Missile Destroyers. He has also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) launched a podcast app ‘Shiksha Vani’ earlier this week to disseminate crucial information to students and parents in a timely manner.

The board also mentioned that its first episode, on the evaluation process of Class 10 and 12 board examinations, has been released on the platform. As the examinations proceed, the episode helps students understand how their completed papers will be evaluated.

The board’s notification read: “Easy availability of up-to-date information regarding educational tools and initiatives can improve outcomes, and that is the reason why the board constantly endeavours to be in touch with its stakeholders. The board also believes in the use of new, appropriate and user-friendly technology to ensure the proper spread of its directions.”

In football, India has clinched the SAFF Women's Championship for the fifth time in a row, defeating hosts Nepal 3-1 in the final at Biratnagar. In the first half, Dalmia Chhibber of India scored the first goal of the match which was equalled by Nepal's Sabitra Bhandari at the 33rd minute.

In the second half, Grace Dengmei scored the second goal at 63rd minute and Anju Tamang scored third and decisive goal in the 76th minute. This was India's 23rd straight victory in the championship since its inception in 2010.
 

The Election Commission of India has appointed transgender social activist Gauri Sawant, as one of the 12 election ambassadors from Maharashtra.

During 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections there was no record of transgender voters. 

Following the Supreme Court order, transgenders got the right to vote for the first time in 2014. In 2014, 918 voters were registered in this third category. This number has doubled in five years and now it is 2,086. 

There are 113, 184, and 123 registered transgenders in constituencies of Bhiwandi, Kalyan,  and East Mumbai respectively. North Mumbai constituency has registered the maximum number of 324 transgender.

According to the Election Commission, Gauri Sawant's appointment would help in more people from this category getting registered during the final phase of voters enrollment. It stated that in the next few days, Gauri Sawant would visit every transgender and inspire them about the need for voting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address over 25 lakh Chowkidars through audio bridge medium on Wednesday and share the colours of Holi with them. 

Party's media head and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said, this is a part of a series of initiatives under the 'Main Bhi Chowkidaar' outreach programme.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to interact with people, who have pledged to support the Main Bhi Chowkidar campaign, from 500 places in the country on 31st of this month.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday presented Gallantry Awards and Distinguished Service Decorations at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

Kirti Chakras were conferred on Sepoy Vijay Kumar of Indian Army and Constable Pradip Kumar Panda of CRPF posthumously. 

Displaying exceptional bravery and commitment to duty during counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir, both of them made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. 

Uttam Yudh Seva Medal was conferred on Lieutenant General Anil Kumar Bhatt for successful counter-terrorist operations conducted under him in Jammu and Kashmir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

GST council today approved a transition plan for new goods and services tax rates on residential properties under which developers of under-construction buildings may either opt to shift to the revised lower rates without input tax credit or stick to the previous rates.

Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey told media that for housing projects launched on or after the first of April this year, the developers will have to adhere to the new GST rates recommended by the council last month. Developers can also opt for different GST options for separate buildings in a project depending on if construction started before or after 31st March this year. Mr Pandey added that there will be no revenue loss to the government due to the new GST structure for under-construction housing.

The next GST Council meeting will be held after the Lok Sabha elections. The Revenue Secretary informed that authorities will, however, seek permission of the Election Commission if the need arises for any meeting of the body.

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has announced his resignation after nearly 30 years in power. 

The 78-year old leader had ruled the country since it emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. 

In a televised address last night, Mr Nazarbayev said, the decision was not easy but he wanted to help a new generation of leaders. He said, the Chairman of the Kazakh Senate would take over. 

The announcement came less than a month after the President sacked his government, citing a lack of economic development despite the country's vast energy resources.