M A I N   N E W S

SGPC forced to put off conference
From Sushil Goyal and Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 11 — Though the SGPC erected a ‘pandal’ to accommodate 25,000 persons near Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib here, the first “gurmat parchar sammelan” failed to evoke any response from the public.

A complete “no response” from the public “forced” the authorities to cancel the conference which was to be organised here this afternoon.

However, sources here said the Panthic conference to be held on April 13 would get a good response.

At least 24 Sikh scholars from various parts of the state who arrived here to attend the sammelan had to remain content with an indoor meeting at Mata Nanki Niwas in the Takht complex this evening.

The cancellation of the sammelan is being attributed to the alleged strained ties between the Punjab Chief Minister and the SGPC chief. The poor arrival of pilgrims it is felt is due to lack of cooperation between the SGPC and the government.

None of the ministers in the Badal government arrived here today to participate in the celebrations by the SGPC. It is learnt that Bibi Jagir Kaur had personally invited several MLAs, ministers and SGPC members on the occasion.

Imposter or DRI informant?
From Ruchika Mohindra
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, April 11 — What would you do if a person claiming to be an officer on the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) walked into your office and asked for money to help stop an income tax raid being planned at your premises? Pay up, of course.

Interestingly, when a conman, who adopted a similar strategy was nabbed and handed over to the police, he was let off within hours reportedly after an Additional Commissioner, Income Tax, informed the police that he was an informant of the department.

According to investigations, the conman visited the office of a sewing machine manufacturer yesterday. He introduced himself as an officer of the rank of ITO in the DRI from Delhi. He said he was in city to investigate a complaint received by the DRI against the manufacturers.

While this smartly attired gentleman, who introduced himself as Raj Mehtani, was trying to strike a deal with the industrialist in his office, another industrialist walked in. The latter had been earlier duped by Ram Bhagwan Das Gupta, alias Mehtani. He immediately recognised him.

“In December, this person had come to my residence and duped me of Rs 10,000 claiming to be an officer of the DRI. He scared me by telling me to get my records set right, saying the Income Tax Department was likely to conduct raids in three or four days,” the industrialist said.

“When I saw him yesterday, I walked into another room and warned my friend not to pay him. Incidentally, two policemen were present in the factory in connection with a theft. When they heard me warning my friend, they sought permission to nab the culprit.”

The conman grew suspicious and left in haste. He joined his wife and two teenaged daughters who waited for him in a taxi. But the policemen asked him to come to the police station for questioning.

The taxi driver told the police that the man had hired his taxi at Ambala and had stopped at a jeweller’s shop at Gobindgarh, a grain dealer’s shop at Samrala and at a bread factory near here.

When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police Kuldip Singh told TNS that the man’s name was Ram Bhagwan Das Gupta. He was a resident of Rawalpur in Kanpur.

“The man told us he was an informant of the DRI. His code number was 5037. He also gave the reference of Mr Jagroop Singh, Additional Commissioner, Income Tax, Ludhiana and claimed to be working with him.”

The SSP said it was only after the matter was verified with the official concerned that the man was let off.

Mr Jagroop Singh, when contacted, denied he had any links with Ram Bhagwan Das Gupta. “This man was an informant with the DRI at Mumbai, during my posting there. I am not aware if he is still an informant there,” he said.