M A I N   N E W S

Kenyan High Commission writes to varsity
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 23
The Kenyan High Commission has written to Guru Nanak Dev University for securing en masse admissions in professional courses (undergraduate level) in various colleges affiliated to it.

On behalf of the High Commissioner, Kenya, Mr L.J.O Spira has sent the first list of 31 students to Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar, Guru Nanak Dev University, seeking admissions in professional courses, especially relating to information technology.

The copy of the letter has been sent to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Nairobi and KASA Chairman, Amritsar.

Case registered against Bhattal
Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 23
A case under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 409, was registered against former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal at vigilance bureau police station, Ferozepore, last night, allegedly for bungling in the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

The case was registered against Ms Bhattal on the complaint of Mr Balwant Singh Dhillon, senior vice-president of the Lawyers for Human Rights, International, and president of the District Amateur Boxing Association, Bathinda. Mr Dhillon in his complaint alleged that Ms Bhattal withdrew Rs 20 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund on December 30, 1996, in her own name for giving it to the needy and some institutions.

Mr Surjeet Singh, Additional Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, in whose court the case came up, disposing of the same ordered the Vigilance Bureau, Patiala, to make investigations under Section 156(3) of the Cr PC.

According to the copy of the FIR procured by The Tribune the order for the registration of case against Ms Bhattal and subsequent investigation was made by the DGP (Vigilance), Punjab, when the order of Special Judge Surjeet Singh was sent to the head office for action by the bureau at Patiala.

Mr Dhillon alleged in his complaint that the account of 20 lakh was not accounted for by her. He said earlier no Chief Minister had withdrawn money in his own name.

He alleged that she had misappropriated public money for her personal use which was entrusted to her as a public servant and she had committed a breach of trust under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

He said he met Ms Bhattal when she was the Chief Minister at Talwandi Sabo on December 19, 1996, when she had come there to attend a function at the regional centre of Punjabi University. She was accompanied by the then Deputy Commissioner, Mr Sukhpal Singh Gill, and the then Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Mr Joginder Singh Puar.

Mr Dhillon and his friends asked her for Rs 10 lakh for constructing an indoor boxing hall at Talwandi Sabo. She told them that she was going to withdraw Rs 20 lakh from the relief fund and would give them Rs 5 lakh for the purpose.

He said he again met Ms Bhattal at Sangrur and she told him that she would give the money soon as she had got the required money for the purpose.

After the February 1997 Assembly elections, Mr Parkash Singh Badal became the Chief Minister and he (Mr Dhillon) did not think there was any point in meeting Ms Bhattal and so he could not get the money for the construction of the hall.

Ms Bhattal could not be contacted for her comments.