March 4—Top news at 1 pm

8 more TN fishermen held by Lanka; One attempts suicide

Eight fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on the charge of fishing in the island waters, a fisheries department official said. One of the arrested fishermen allegedly attempted suicide today. The arrest of the eight fishermen from Nagapattinam district is the third such detention by the Lankan Navy this week. A total of 61 fishermen are now in Lankan custody. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami had shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the second this week, seeking his intervention to secure the release of all the arrested fishermen. He had said the arrests of fishermen was creating a "sense of panic and unrest among" the community in the state.

Shell companies under our radar: CBDT chief

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is examining several dubious companies and they would be removed from the website of Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) if found to be shell firms. "We will not allow any company to be operated as a shell firm. We will take action against such firms," CBDT chairman Sushil Chandra said yesterday. He said several such companies were under the scanner of the statutory authority, working under Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance. "There are many companies which are currently being examined by the CBDT through a committee to check if they are legitimate or are being operated as shell companies.

J&K: Ops called off after militants manage to flee

The overnight anti-militancy operation in south Kashmir's Shopian district was called off today as the militants managed to escape from the security forces' cordon. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Chillipora village of the district last night following information about the presence of militants there, a police official said. He said a gunfight broke out between the two sides as the security forces were closing on the militants' positions. The exchange of fire between the two sides ended late last night but the security forces did not lift the cordon with the aim of stopping the militants from fleeing.

"House to house searches were launched at day break today but no arrests were made. The militants had apparently managed to escape last night itself," the official said.

India 72/2 at lunch on day one against Australia

Australia picked up a wicket at the stroke of lunch even as opener KL Rahul closed in on a half century to help a cautious India reach 72 for two in the second cricket Test at Bengaluru today. Rahul was an unbeaten on 48, helping India recover from the early loss of Abhinav Mukund, who was picked at the last minute in place of an injured Murali Vijay. The players walked off for lunch after off-spinner Nathan Lyon's dismissal of Cheteshwar Pujara in the 28th over at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Coming off a humiliating defeat in Pune, India trail the four-match series 0-1.

Goa Police quizzes BJP leader in murder case

BJP leader Vishwajit Krishnarao Rane was questioned at Valpoi police station by Goa Police in connection with the murder of a villager in Sattari Taluka after his name cropped up in the 2006 case following the interrogation of his ex-driver and witness Pandurang Adarkar. “Vishwajit Krishnarao Rane was summoned by us last evening. He was questioned for over two hours by a team of policemen as we wanted answers to some questions which arose after the interrogation of the witness," Deputy Superintendent of Police (Bicholim) Ramesh Gaonkar told PTI. The DSP said that Rane was allowed to leave after questioning and may be summoned again if his statement is needed during the course of investigation.

Meanwhile, speaking to PTI, Rane said he is ready to co-operate with the police in the investigation so that all allegations against him are cleared.