BANGALORE: The ruling Janata Dal suffered a jolt today when Karnataka Minister of State for Tourism Roshan Baig quit his post and the party, and Chief Minister J H Patel swiftly accepted his resignation. Baig, reportedly unhappy ever since he was stripped of the key home portfolio by Patel in the ministry reshuffle early this year, submitted his resignation to the Chief Minister's office and in tandem, quit the Janata Dal also. Announcing his decision amid speculations that he would join the Congress, Baig cited no reason for his sudden move but said he would explain it next week.

Ranbaxy MD dead

NEW DELHI: Chairman and managing director of Ranbaxy Laboratories Dr Parvinder Singh died here this evening after protracted illness. Singh, 56, had been suffering from cancer for quite some time and is survived by his wife and two sons. He was also chairman of the export committee of Confederation of Indian Industry and a member of its national council. His bodywill be consigned to flames tomorrow.

Pilot dies in crash

JAIPUR: A pilot of a MiG-27 fighter jet was killed when the aircraft crashed in Jaisalmer district reports reaching here said today. The mishap occurred on Friday soon after the plane took off from Jaisalmer air station on a training sortie.

Spies arrested

SRIGANGANAGAR: Police today arrested two persons, including a former armyman discharged from service, on suspicion that they were indulging in espionage activities in this border district, a police spokesman said here. Both the arrested persons are being interrogated, he added.

Delhi assault case

NEW DELHI: Prakash Yadav, son of former Union minister Ram Lakhan Yadav, who allegedly assaulted a guard at the South Delhi Club on June 30 and fired in the air, surrendered before the police today.He was missing since the incident.