National Rose Day for cancer patients was observed at Sion Hospital, with several entertainment programmes featuring celebrities marking the occasion. Actor Mukesh Rishi encouraged patients to muster the courage not to allow their will to flag. He cited examples of sportspersons who, despite the disease, had managed to achieve success. Y K Sapru, chairperson of the Cancer Patients Aid Association said an increasing number of people and institutions are observing today as Rose Day across the country. The young patients were given roses, treated to a magic show and a dance programme organised by the haemotology-oncology division of the Paedriatic Department of Sion Hospital.

Zari workers' deportation

The Calcutta High Court today quashed both the show-cause notices issued to the zari workers of Mumbai and the order for their deportation to Bangladesh. The notices and deportation order were issued by the deputy commissioner of police, Special Branch-I, CID, Mumbaion July 10 and July 22, 1998. The workers were arrested on July 10, 1998, on the charge that they were Bangladeshis and ought to be deported. While they were being deported, some of the workers escaped and filed writ petitions in the Calcutta High Court challenging the show cause notices and deportation order. The court observed that the steps taken by the Mumbai police were against the basic principles of natural justice and also in violation of the provisions of the Foreigner's Act.

HC allows action against 54 docs

The Bombay High Court today permitted the Maharashtra government to initiate criminal proceedings against 54 doctors practising in Sholapur district and adjoining villages after obtaining bogus degree certificates from Hyderabad and Karnataka. The HC gave its order in response to a petition filed by the 54 doctors urging for quashing of the chargesheet filed against them in the Judicial First Class Magistrate's Court. The petitioners told court that in December 1992, a criminalcomplaint was filed against them, following which they were arrested and chargesheets filed.