Abhijit Mukherjee, the son of President Pranab Mukherjee lit a controversial bonfire by describing women protesters who condemned the gang rape of a Delhi student as "highly dented and painted". Abhijit elaborated on his opinion and his sister Sharmistha expressed shock and anguish and apologised on behalf of her brother.

Abhijit soon after apologised to all the people whose sentiments were hurt because of his comments and withdrew them, leaving women activists and political leaders unimpressed.

BJP women's wing chief Smriti Irani said she thinks his comments show the kind of mindset the youths are fighting against and termed Abhijit's remarks as unfortunate.

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Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who has been making a pitch to bring the city police under Delhi government control and the Delhi police are at loggerheads, in fighting about who is to blame for what. Ms Dikshit complained of interference and Delhi police demanded a probe into the leak of her letter to the home minister.

All this with regard to the statement made by the student who was gang raped on a bus in south Delhi some days ago that gave rise to public outrage and protests that in turn incentivised water cannons, tear gas and more protests.

Still, 2 assistant commissioners of police were suspended and 3 constables also suspended. A spillover has occurred in Rajasthan where six police officials have been suspended, removed or sent to the police lines, accused of negligence not just in this case but also in other rape cases of minors.

The buck passing continues, while the only person who seems to be real is the desperately ill victim whose statement from her hospital bed to a magistrate, asked for justice and that the perpetrators be duly punished so that women and children have the freedom to use public transport in India's capital.

Doctors at the hospital say the victim's condition is slowly improving but she is still vulnerable.

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Some 31 percent of MLAs in the newly-formed 13th Gujarat assembly have criminal records, with Congress dominating the list. The BJP hogged the top ten places of tainted men who have serious charges including rape, against them.

The Gujarat Election Watch GEW, that was set up by professors of the Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad, stated that of 182 elected candidates 57 MLAs have declared criminal cases against them.

One such case cited was Jetha Bharwad who has been charged with rape and other charges including attempt to murder, when he was involved in a firing incident on the day of second phase polling in Tarsang village.

The Election watch says those that figure among the top 10 MLAs facing serious criminal charges include Amit Shah, Shankar Chaudhary, Babulal Jamnadas Patel, Purshottam Solanki, Jetha Bharwad and Dilip Patel, all of the BJP.

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A Delhi court has ordered that corruption charges be brought against Suresh Kalmadi the head of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Ten others including Games secretary general Lalit Bhanot will also face charges of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy.

Kalmadi was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2011 for favouring a company in Switzerland while procuring timers and scoring equipment for the Games.

Kalmadi a sitting MP, has also been charged with corruption in a case related to contracts at a 2009 event in London that marked the start of a baton race across Commonwealth countries.

Kalmadi and the others charged all deny any wrongdoing.

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Speaking at the launch of the Delhi government's 'Annshree Yojana' cash-for-food programme, chief minister Sheila Dikshit said the cash subsidy of Rs.600 a month is adequate to feed a family of five on staples such as dal, roti and chawal.

Many of the voiceless beneficiaries couldn't hide their disbelief at the remark, and as they left the venue the women whom the scheme seeks to empower said rations for families with five to seven members comes at a price of Rs.1000 to Rs.3000. The amount of Rs.600 was no more than support but something is better than nothing.

Some 13,000 people are to benefit from the scheme with immediate effect and the government has targeted a total of 200,000 beneficiaries who are being chosen from a 2009 state survey of the most vulnerable such as those who do not get the benefit of subsidised rations.

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