New Delhi - Key Indian stock indices rose by more than 4.5 per cent Thursday, buoyed by an early upward trend in European markets and an announcement by Reliance Industries Ltd that it had started pumping natural gas from a deep-sea basin off the south-eastern coast.

The KG-D6 basin project off Andhra Pradesh state was expected to double India's gas output and save the country 9 billion dollars in oil imports annually.

New Delhi, Apr 2 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, which will be celebrated tomorrow.

In his message, Dr. Singh said that Lord Ram is the embodiment of righteousness and high moral values. His philosophy and teachings inspire all of us to rededicate ourselves to cause of the underprivileged with service and sacrifice.

"May the festival usher in happiness, prosperity and well being of all," he added.

New Delhi, Apr 2 : Union Law Minister H. R. Bhardwaj on Thursday slammed Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt for his statement that an aide of a senior minister of the Congress party threatened him.

A day after the Supreme Court ruled that Dutt cannot run for the ensuing general elections, he alleged that a senior Congress leader threatened him for not joining the party.

As per the media reports, the actor pointed the finger of blame at some aide of Bhardwaj.

Mumbai, Apr 2 : The Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex on Thursday regained 10,000 mark and surged by 512.51 points to 10414.50.

The 30-share index touched a high of 10432.31 and low of 10107.25.

The National Stock Exchange's Nifty also rose by 160.80 points to 3221.15 points.

The broader index hit a high of 3227.15 and low of 3061.05.

BSE Midcap Index was up 4.32 per cent and the BSE Smallcap Index rose 3.50 percent.

Patna, Apr 2 : The Patna High Court on Thursday rejected Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Pappu Yadav's petition seeking suspension of a conviction in a murder case to enable him to contest the upcoming general elections.

Pappu Yadav, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court for murdering Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPM) leader Ajit Sarkar, is currently out on bail.

A division bench comprising Justices Shiv Kirti Singh and Dharnidhar Jha disallowed him from contesting elections.

New Delhi, Apr 2 : The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to Uttar Pradesh Government and the Pilibhit District Magistrate seeking to know the basis for invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi.

Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan sought an explanation for slapping of the NSA against him.

Varun Gandhi had earlier moved the Supreme Court challenging the UP Government's decision to slap the NSA against him.