NEW DELHI: Former communications minister and leader of the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) Sukh Ram, who resigned from the Himachal cabinet last month, would face trial in a telecom scam case as a special court today ordered framing of charges against him. Special judge Ajit Bharihoke who found ``prima facie'' sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial, fixed tomorrow for completing the formalities of framing of the charges.

Shakeel aide killed

MUMBAI: In the second shootout in two days, a Chhota Shakeel crony has been shot dead at Bandra reclamation this evening.

According to the police, Javed, a key aide of Chhota Shakeel, was travelling in his car near Rang Sharda hotel at Bandra Reclamation when three men in two motorcycles ambushed him and pumped three rounds at him.

He was taken to Bhaba hospital, Bandra, but was declared dead before the time of admission.

Heat wave deaths

NASHIK: The death toll in the heatwave in north Maharashtra rose to 16 with one more person dying of sunstroke in village Dhadre in neighbouring Dhule district yesterday.

Diesel prices cut

NEW DELHI: The price of diesel has been reduced by 14 paise per litre in Delhi and Calcutta and about 15 paise per litre in Mumbai and Chennai, it was announced on Tuesday night.

PSU retirement

NEW DELHI: The Central Government today raised the retirement age for employees working in public sector undertakings (PSUs) to 60 years. This decision applies to all employees except those on the boards of Central PSUs, an official release here said.