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EC seeks govt funds for EVM add-ons

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EC seeks govt funds for EVM add-ons

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]16 lakh VVPATs, needed for the 2019 general election, will cost Rs 3,175 crore

APN Correspondent

Amidst a debate on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and opposition demand for replacing them with ballot papers, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi has asked the government to expedite release of funds for purchasing over 16 lakh Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines to meet the ‘requirement’ of the 2019 general election. He said that procurement of the machines can’t be delayed because of the ‘prevailing environment.’

APN carried a story about the Election Commission’s move in its show, Office-Office, on Monday.

In a letter to Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Chief Election Commissioner said the government should act fast to provide funds for enabling procurement of the machines which will be attached to the current EVMs. He further said the Election Commission had earlier informed the government that placing an order for the gadgets was necessary in February 2017 for procuring them by September 2018. More than 16 lakh VVPATs will cost about Rs 3,175 crore.

Opposition parties have been questioning the reliability of the EVMs after the BJP’s historic victory in the recent assembly elections. They are demanding  ballot paper-based elections or deployment of VVPATS to dispel doubts of tampering with the machines.

The VVPAT machine dispenses a paper slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted.

In its earlier communication to the government on March 22, the Election Commission had pointed out that the Supreme Court was informed that the required number of VVPATS can be manufactured in 30 months from the date of release of funds.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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From Pushpa reels to a Tollywood deal, David Warner bags crores for 3 minutes role in Robinhood

David Warner just made the most expensive cameo in Telugu cinema—Rs 2.5 crore for less than 3 minutes in Robinhood. That’s not a role, that’s a retirement plan.

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The Australian cricketer David Warner, known for his explosive batting and dancing moves on Pusha song, has officially stepped into the acting world with a cameo in the Telugu film Robinhood. However, the cricketer’s acting dubute is not a big news at all but his paycheck is making bigger headlines than the film itself.

In the Telugu action film Robinhood, starring Nithiin and Sreeleela, Warner made a guest appearance for which the cricketer charged a staggering Rs 2.5 crore for a 2-minute-50-second cameo. That’s right—less than three minutes of screen time, and he’s laughing all the way to the bank.

That’s around Rs 14 lakh per second, or what most of us make in, well… a decade.

Warner shot his scene over just 2 days, at a reported Rs 1.25 crore per day. It’s unclear if he had any lines or just gave his trademark grin and left, but clearly, he bowled Tollywood over without even lifting a bat.

The film, directed by Venky Kudumula, released on March 28 and has been getting solid reviews. But let’s be honest—Warner’s cameo is grabbing more headlines than the villain’s plot.

Also featuring Vennela Kishore, Rajendra Prasad, and others, Robinhood tells the story of an orphaned Robin Hood-type hero… and somewhere in there, Warner pops in, waves hello (we assume), and probably left for biryani before the credits rolled.

Fans are loving it. Accountants are weeping. And Warner? He’s now officially Tollywood’s highest-paid cameo artist.

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Bengaluru man kills wife, stuffs her in suitcase

Investigations reveal a history of frequent arguments between Rakesh and Gauri, with allegations of physical altercations on both sides.

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Bengaluru Police have arrested a man, Rakesh, who is accused of murdering his wife, Gauri Anil Sambekar, and concealing her body in a suitcase before fleeing to Pune. The police tracked him down using call detail records (CDR), leading Satara police to take him into custody.

Reports indicate that Rakesh ingested a poison-like substance and admitted to committing the crime, prompting his immediate hospitalization, where he is currently receiving treatment.

The disturbing details of the crime emerged when Rakesh allegedly called his wife’s parents to confess. Gauri, 32, was a mass media and communication graduate who had been unemployed and staying home while Rakesh worked as a project manager for Hitachi. The couple had moved from Maharashtra to Doddakannahalli in Bengaluru, living there for about two months.

Investigations reveal a history of frequent arguments between Rakesh and Gauri, with allegations of physical altercations on both sides. The conflict reached a tragic climax on March 26 when Rakesh allegedly stabbed Gauri multiple times and ultimately slit her throat. He then concealed her body in the suitcase and left it in the bathroom before making his escape.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Sarah Fathima stated that the investigation began after a call was made at approximately 5:30 PM concerning a suspected hanging. Upon arriving at the locked residence, officers discovered the suitcase in the bathroom, which led them to realize a crime had occurred. The forensic team opened the suitcase and found Gauri’s body, which bore numerous injuries.

Efforts to locate Rakesh initially were unsuccessful, but law enforcement was able to track him through CDR data. Pune police were notified, resulting in his arrest. A team from Hulimavu police is en route to Pune to bring Rakesh back to Bengaluru for further questioning.

DCP Fathima noted that Gauri’s body was found intact, and the specifics of her injuries will be detailed in the forthcoming postmortem report. The investigation continues as authorities strive to uncover more information and clarify the motivations behind this tragic incident.

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Madras HC grants interim anticipatory bail to Kunal Kamra

His petition expressed apprehension about being arrested by the Mumbai Police, which had summoned him twice in connection with the case.

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The Madras High Court on Friday granted interim anticipatory bail to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who faces potential arrest over jokes targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent performance in Mumbai.

Kamra, 36, had sought relief from the court, stating that he relocated from Mumbai to Tamil Nadu in 2021 and has since been a resident of the state. His petition expressed apprehension about being arrested by the Mumbai Police, which had summoned him twice in connection with the case.

The controversy arose after Kamra’s show at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where he performed a satirical song parodying Shinde. The act drew sharp criticism from Shiv Sena supporters, leading to violent protests. A group of party workers vandalized the comedy club and the adjoining hotel, prompting police action.

Following a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, the Khar Police registered a case against Kamra for allegedly making defamatory statements against the deputy CM. Mumbai Police issued a second summons, directing the comedian to appear before them on March 31.

Meanwhile, authorities arrested 12 Shiv Sainiks, including leader Rahool Kanal, for the destruction of property at the venue.

Kamra, known for his sharp political satire, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, lashing out at mainstream media. He wrote: “The mainstream media at this point is nothing but a miscommunication arm of the ruling party. They are vultures who report on issues that don’t matter to the people of this country. If they all shut shop from tomorrow till eternity, they will be doing a favor to the country, its people & their own children.”

The Madras High Court’s decision to grant interim bail provides temporary protection to Kamra from arrest, allowing the legal process to proceed without immediate detention. The case has reignited debates on free speech, political satire, and the limits of comedy in India, where comedians frequently face legal challenges for their content.

This incident is not Kamra’s first brush with controversy—his past remarks on politicians and media figures have often sparked outrage. 

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