NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today appointed a three-member committee under former Himachal Pradesh high court chief justice Leila Seth to probe the alleged `adverse' effect of TV serial Shaktiman on children.

The appointment of the committee was ordered following a petition by Bheesham International, a company owned by Mukesh Khanna, producer, director and actor in the lead role in the serial, challenging Doordarshan's notification issued in January for termination of Shaktiman.

Ships return

MUMBAI: Three ships of the Indian Navy's Western fleet returned to Mumbai on Friday after a three-day goodwill visit to the Abu Dhabi, UAE. The ships included the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, fleet tanker INS Shakti, destroyer INS Ranvijay and missile corvette INS Kora. The ships were under the overall command of Rear Admiral Suresh Mehta, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet.

Sharif survives

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif today escaped a bid on his life after authorities unearthed a terrorist plot to bomb his public meeting near Rawalpindi.

UTI racket busted

NEW DELHI: Delhi police today claimed to have busted a racket of bankers, postal officials and share brokers involving defalcation of Rs two crore of United Trust of India (UTI) dividends. The anti-economic offences wing of crime branch have arrested two postal employees, a share broker, two conduits and a suspended bank manager in connection with the case.

Food poisoning

NEW DELHI: Over 40 people were taken ill due to food poisoning after consuming `kuttu atta' (flour) in east Delhi today. While 36 have been admitted to GTB Hospital, eight have been admitted to Swami Dayanand Hospital, Delhi Government sources said. Unofficial sources put the figure at over 50.