The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked Mumbai police commissioner R H Mendonca to submit before October 1 his comments on why Dr I S Gilada, anti-AIDS campaigner and secretary of the Indian Health Organisation, was arrested and detained in April this year. In a notice issued on August 28, the NHRC said the complaint received from Dr Gilada was placed before the commission on 17 August, 1999 and after perusing the complaint the commission has ordered to issue notice to the commissioner of police seeking a response in four weeks.

The notice further states it ``may proceed to take such action as it deems proper'' if it failed to receive the requisite report by the deadline. Dr Gilada alleged he was detained in police custody for 19 days after he was arrested by the police on April 23 on a ``false'' charge of causing death due to negligence of an AIDS patient.-- (UNI)

SSC, HSC exams

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and the Higher SecondaryCertificate (HSC) examinations to be held next year will be conducted during February-March, according to a Mantralaya press release. The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has announced that the written exams of HSC and SSC will be held during the second week of February and in the first week of March. Practicals are scheduled in the first fortnight of March and the last week of February respectively. -- ENS

Gas leak in Kurla flat

One person suffered burn injuries due to a gas leakage in a flat in Gavdevi Cooperative Housing Society in Kurla, according to fire brigade officials.

The leakage, which occurred at around 8.45 pm on Saturday, resulted in a fire at room number 4 of the society, in which furniture and electric appliances were gutted. A 65-year-old man suffered burn injuries and has been admitted to Sion Hospital.-- ENS