The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Police chief presses Centre for more men
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 8
Senior Delhi Police officers have reiterated their demand for reinforcing the existing strength of the force in order to deal effectively with the changing security scenario and, at the same time, to provide adequate policing to the residents of the Capital.

The Delhi Police Commissioner, Mr Ajai Raj Sharma, conveyed this recently to the Ministry of Home Affairs, underscoring the urgency. The strength of the Delhi Police has remained static around 55,000 since 1984 even as the population of the National Capital Territory has increased manifold. This, according to senior police officers, has played havoc with the police-public ratio required for effective policing.

The Police Commissioner has also pointed out that a considerable chunk of the present force is routinely deployed for providing security to VIPs and at vital installations, which further reduces the number required for maintaining law and order in the sprawling metropolis.

The Commissioner has been repeatedly writing to the Ministry of Home Affairs for substantially increasing the strength of the force in different districts of the Capital. Only 2,000 personnel were added in July last year. Sources in the police headquarters have indicated that the Commissioner has sought at least 8,000 additional men, even as a study is being conducted to ascertain the optimum strength required to police an area as large and diverse as Delhi.

The Commissioner has also referred to the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) findings, which highlighted that the strength of the force was “well short of the required… and needs to be enhanced immediately”.

Besides, a demand of nearly 4,300 additional personnel has been made for the traffic wing alone. Discussions have been held with the central government officials, but the proposal is still awaiting clearance. At present, the traffic police have only 3,700 men while the requirement is that of more than 8,000 personnel.

The Bhardwaj Committee, appointed by the government after the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots to look into the requirement of the police, had suggested that a regular deployment should be done and more police stations be set up to meet the growing demand of policing, to keep pace with the growth in the population.

MLAs, councillors caught in one-upmanship
Syed Ali Ahmed
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 8
With the elections to the Delhi Municipal Corporation barely a month away, the perennial differences between the councillors and the area MLAs have become sharper in their attempt to take credit for development work done in their respective areas. The councillors, mostly from the BJP, have been complaining that the area MLAs, most of them from the Congress, have been taking credit for the development work done in the area and giving the flak to the councillors. The councillors have been alleging that the MLAs, who have several council segments in their constituency, are in an enviable situation as most of them have considerable funds at their disposal as against the meagre resources available with a councillor. The continuing tussle between the Congress MLA, Naseeb Singh of Vishwas Nagar area, and BJP councillors in East Delhi over development of a park in Surajmal Vihar is a living example. The colony is one of the better looked after in the area.

The piece of land was earlier encroached upon by jhuggi dwellers and was subsequently cleared at the behest of Naseeb Singh and developed as a park. The park was inaugurated last year and as a tribute the MLA’s name was engraved on the foundation stone installed inside the park. Take exception to this, the park was “redeveloped and inaugurated” by the Mayor, Mr Shanti Desai, on December 31 last year. His name replaced that of the MLA on the foundation stone. This obviously riled the followers of the MLA, who immediately organised a demonstration and tried to rip out the foundation stone last week. However, to prevent the situation from worsening, the police moved in and detained the demonstrators who by that time had shot off angry letters to the chief minister and the Lt. Governor of Delhi, Mr.Vijay Kapoor. But what has come as a surprise to many is that, in their attempt at one-upmanship, both the parties were violating the orders of the Lt Governor issued last year that land use could not be changed in any approved colony. Surajmal Vihar is an approved colony and the land was earmarked for a nursery school and subsequently allotted to then A.S.N. Public school. The BJP councillors alleged that the area MLA tried to hoodwink the corporation by requesting the MCD to develop the land as a park despite the fact that he was aware of the land use clause. Naseeb Singh, however, told the NCR Tribune that MLAs were not given the district plan and he was unaware of the Lt Governor’s order. Since development in the area is always undertaken by the local bodies, it was their duty to be well versed with the district plan.

HC halts the EC merry-go-round
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 8
Staying the ‘musical chair’ being played out in the Delhi State Election Commission, the High Court on Tuesday refused to vacate the status quo order in the matter of removal of Election Commissioner S Malaichamy. The court also refused to dismiss Mr Malaichamy’s (the petitioner’s) plea as had been sought by the respondent during the hearing. In a decision taken last month, Mr MP Tyagi was made the Election Commissioner, replacing Mr Malaichamy. The Lieutenant Governor, in exercise of the powers conferred on him, had amended the Rules with retrospective effect and removed Mr Malaichamy on December 13, 2001 and appointed Mr Tyagi instead. Mr Malaichamy had then moved the court and filed a petition seeking a stay on his removal. On Tuesday, the government counsel, while making his submission before the court, sought dismissal of the petition on account of it having become redundant and also the vacation of the status quo order. The main stand of the respondent, contained in the counter affidavit filed before the court, was that Mr Malaichamy’s appointment was ad hoc and a stop-gap arrangement; he should, therefore, be removed. The counsel for petitioner, in turn, submitted that his removal was ultra vires and contrary to the provisions of the Constitution. It was further submitted that the Lieutenant Governor’s exercise (of amending the Rules with retrospective effect and removing Malaichamy) was mala fide and done to circumvent the Constitutional provisions. It was argued that as the petitioner had supervised the civic elections in Chandigarh till December 20, 2001, his removal with effect from December 13 was unconstitutional.

It was also contended that the service terms of EC can’t be varied.

Amorous ties end in murder
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 8
In a tragic incident, Maya (38), along with her friend, Satpal, was stabbed by two men at her house this afternoon at MMTC Colony in Malviya Nagar.

While Satpal died on the spot, Maya, with injuries in stomach, legs and fingers, was rushed to AIIMS. She is reported to be out danger. Maya’s husband is an office manager in MMTC.

The murder is linked to a dangerous liaison that was carried on by Kamla, Maya’s classmate and friend. Kamla lives in Dakshinpuri. The incident occurred when Jayaparkash, Kamla’s landlord, along with an unidentified man, came to Maya’s house and asked her to invite Kamla to her house.

Maya reportedly refused to call Kamla to her house. However, Kamla had telephoned Maya’s house and subsequently reached her house.

After a while, Maya also called her friend, Satpal, to her house as the two tried to paw her. On entering the house, Satpal found that the two were getting fresh with Maya. He tried to intervene, which led to a heated argument between them. Jayaparkash stabbed Satpal in the stomach and neck.

Preliminary investigation indicated that Maya came into contact with Jayaparkash as he had rented his house to Kamla in Dakshipuri. As Maya used to visit her house quite often, Jayaparkash befriended her.

During interrogation, Kamla told the police that she had an affair with Jayaparkash for some time, but she had put an end to the liaison a few days ago and even told Jayaparkash not to call her.

Since Maya was her friend, Jayaparkash had also tried to call Kamla to her residence apparently to patch up their strained relationship. But in the process, he and his associate started molesting Maya.

After committing the crime, the assailants fled from the spot while Kamla took Maya to the hospital.

Drop in at Surajkund for a taste of Sikkim
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 8
Come February and all roads will lead to Surajkund where the 16th Surajkund Crafts Mela is unfolding its magic. Continuing its unique tradition of hosting a theme state each year, the 28 acres of the picturesque mela grounds will be dotted with images of Sikkim in all its myriad manifestations. There will be a Sikkimese feast of colour, craft and cuisine packaged with loads of fun and fabulous folk culture.

Like every year, the fortnight-long mela will begin from February 1 this year too. This year’s theme state, Sikkim, is often referred by many as a jewel in the crown of India. Tucked away in the lap of the snow-clad mountains, the state is bordered by Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and the neighbouring state of West Bengal. Because of its rugged mountains having varying elevations, ranging from 284 metres to 8,540 metres, it is an adventure odyssey for nature lovers. Visitors to the mela will get a feel of the local folk, culture and crafts of Sikkim.

One of the attractions will be carpet weaving. Carpet is the symbol of the cultural expression of the people of Sikkim. These oriental designed carpets have the dominating figures of dragons, eight auspicious lucky signs, snow lions, birds, orchids of different shapes and sizes etc. Handloom weaving is another major vocation of the indigenous Sikkimese where the Lepcha people make their cloth, which are woven in traditional designs and rich colours on loin/frame looms and bags, durries, cushion covers, table mats and napkins, tray cloth etc.

Also on display will be the various aspects of Sikkimese culture and crafts, including jackets, leather emblazoned with emblems of longevity, auspicious signs, vajra, dolls in the form of yaks, rabbits, cats etc. Woodcarving is another craft in Sikkim where exquisite furniture like Choktsee (carved folding table), Choesam (altar), Bagchok (carved central table), screens, lamp stands etc are a sight to watch.

Chattisgarh power to warm Delhi in winter
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 8
To overcome the acute power crisis in the Capital and curtail the recurrent load shedding, the Government of NCT of Delhi will be for the first time during winter months buying power from donor states. Official sources said the decision was taken after Punjab backed out citing “defence constraints” from supplying 100 MW of power to Delhi.

The Power Minister, Mr Ajay Maken, today told mediapersons that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was expected to be signed in a couple of days’ time with the Government of Chattisgarh for supply of 100 MW electricity. Talks, he said, were also on with the GRIDCO (Orissa) with whom the Power Trading Corporation was liaising on behalf of the Government of NCT of Delhi.

The GRIDCO, the minister added, had been bailing Delhi out by supplying about 70 MW from the Eastern Grid. The daily peak shortage of over 200 MW, he added, was likely to be further bridged after 100-odd MW would be received from the Pragati Power Project.

The panic buying was resorted to after talks with the Tata Group and the Maharashtra State Electricity Board failed on account of certain objections raised by the Western Grid. Compounding matters for the government was Punjab reneging from supplying power to Delhi. According to the minister, the two states had been working out an arrangement whereby on a quid pro quo basis, Delhi would supply electricity at night to Punjab that could be used there for agricultural purposes and Punjab in turn chip in during the peak hours in Delhi.

Meanwhile, load shedding continued today with several areas remaining without power for hours on end. The Delhi Vidyut Board today came out with a fortnightly timetable of load shedding designating the areas that would remain without power at varying times of the day and night.

Liquor vendors’ box of contention
Rohit Wadhwaney

New Delhi, January 8
Have you ever wondered why your wine shop owner is reluctant to pack your favourite brand in the cardboard box, so neatly lined up in his storeroom.

Ranjit Malhotra, a businessman and a resident of Saket, had to buy a bag solely to carry the large quantity of beer that he had bought on the New Year’s eve from a wine shop in Saket.

The shopkeeper refused to pack it in the cardboard box, saying that he is “responsible for handing him beer bottles and not boxes”.

This is not an isolated incident. The salesmen at these shops will make any excuse, including the stock one, “They have run out of boxes.”

Mr Malhotra said: “It is common sense. We cannot be expected to carry so many bottles in our hands. But ever since these shops have been put under the government charge, problems have multiplied. Why can’t they give us boxes? Where do the boxes go?”

The fact is that the boxes go to the nearest rag-picker. They are sold off at Rs 5 per kg. As such, one should consider oneself lucky if one gets a box to carry the bottles home.

Confirming this, Harish, a rag-picker in Hauz Rani, told the NCR Tribune, “Almost every day, the owner of the Saket wine and beer shop comes to me and sells loads of these cardboard boxes.”

Not only in Saket, the residents all around Delhi have had such experience sometimes.

Mr S.S.Sehrawat, a resident of south Delhi’s Green Park, said that even if he bought 20 bottles from any of the wine shops, they would not give any packet or box to carry the bottles.

“It has happened so many times that I always take a bag with me, when I go to the wine shop,” Mr Sehrawat said and blasted the wine vendors for their ‘dadagiri’. “It took them no time to get violent. We are not hooligans like them. We can’t fight over boxes. Though the issue might seem trivial, but one can imagine the money these shopkeepers are making.”

About 10 years ago, most of the wine and beer shops in Delhi were run privately which was quite convenient to the public. “Whenever the government steps in, corruption and a sick environment follow,” said Mr Pankaj Sharma, a resident of South Extension. In one incident, Mr Sharma said, he actually had to bribe the shopkeeper to get a box.

“He refused to give me a box even though I bought 12 bottles. I gave him Rs 20 extra and out came the box. He even put the bottles inside the box for me. It just shows how greedy they are.” Though many shopkeepers denied the allegations, saying they “always gave boxes to people who took more than four bottles of alcohol”, others admitted that they often “avoided giving boxes to any of the customers”.

One of the vendors defended himself thus, “Earlier, most of the shops were private, so the profits were shared by the shopkeepers. Life was good. But we get nothing ever since the government took over this business. We are on the government’s pay roll. We hardly get Rs 3,000 a month. If we don’t sell these boxes, we will get nothing.”

The unavailability of boxes is not the only problem customers face when they visit the local shop. A resident of Greater Kailash said, “The other problem was that the salesmen at these shops rarely returned the balance, even though it is usually a small amount. Almost every time, I have had to leave the balance Rs 5 or Rs 10 at these shops because they apparently never have any change. If they did that with every customer, they would be making a fortune. And I bet they are, because there are hundreds of people visiting these shops.”

Rs 65.30 lakh given under Govt-at-doorstep scheme
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, January 8
Under the much-hyped programme ‘Sarkar Aap Ke Dwar’ launched by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, the Chairman of HAFED and an INLD MLA, Mr Suraj Mal Antil, distributed cheques of Rs 65.30 lakh among the sarpanches for the development works in 10 villages.

The cheques were given at a function, held at Patla village about 15 km from here yesterday.

The allotted amount to the villages is as under: Patla village (Rs 4.99 lakh); Pabsara village (Rs 7.59 lakh); Jakhauli village (Rs 13.14 lakh); Aterna village(Rs8.08 lakh); Manoli village (Rs 9.66 lakh); Khurmapur village (Rs 3.40 lakh); Dahesra village (Rs 2.54 lakh); Chauhan Joshi village (Rs 8.25 lakh); Khatkar village (Rs 1.65 lakh) and Jajal village (Rs 5 lakh).

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Antil said that the development work would not be hampered in the district for want of funds.

President of the district INLD, Mr Ranbir Dahiya, and Mr

Kiranpal Chauhan also spoke and highlighted the achievements of the INLD government in Haryana. Praising the vision of the Chief Minister, he appealed to the people not to be misled by the propaganda of the Opposition parties in the state.

Earlier, Mr Antil distributed free blankets among 70 poor persons of the village on the occasion. Returning the sum of Rs 10,000 presented to him by the Rajput Sangthan, he asked them to use the money for strengthening the organisation in the area.

NCR BRIEFS
Women stage rally for BPL ration cards, names in voters’ list
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, January 8
A large number of women hailing from Pio Munyari and its surrounding villages held a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here yesterday to press their demands.

They submitted a memorandum to the Deputy commissioner urging him for the immediate preparation of ration cards for the poor people and inclusion of their names in the list of the families living below the poverty line (BPL) as well as the voters’ list.

The memorandum said that a large number of poor persons had been living in the villages but their names had not been included in the voters’ list and in the list of the families living below the poverty line. They had also been denied the subsidised ration commodities. The memorandum also pointed out that there had been no arrangement for the draining out the storm water and as a result, the streets had been submerged under water even though there were no rain. The memorandum demanded immediate steps to pump out the water accumulated on the streets and removal of high-tension transmission lines passing over the roofs of the houses. The memorandum also urged the district administration to open an anganwadi centre for imparting education to the children of the villages.

chlorinated water

The Residents Welfare Association, the Sonepat Citizens Forum and other social and voluntary organisations today expressed their grave concern over the continuing supply of heavily chlorinated water to the residents. They warned that if the supply of such water was not stopped immediately, they had no alternative but to gherao the officials of the Public Health Department at their offices. These organisations also urged the Deputy Commissioner to immediately intervene and direct the authorities concerned to stop the supply of heavily chlorinated water.

No power

Tihar Kalan village in the district has been without power for the last two weeks on account of the burning of the electricity transformers and poor maintenance of power lines. According to a report, this has caused widespread resentment among people of the village. Many residents alleged that the authorities of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam had failed to replace the damaged transformers and the poor transmission lines, in spite of their repeated complaints. They threatened to launch an agitation if the damaged transformers were not replaced immediately.

Quiz Contest

The team of Government College, Narnaul, secured the first position in the Geography Quiz Contest organised at Government College, Gohana, 35 km from here, yesterday. According to a report, the team of Government College, Gohana, won the second and Sat Jinda Kalyana College, Kalanaur, won the third position in the contest. As many as 20 teams from various colleges took part in the contest. Dr Ram Kumar Saini, MLA, was the chief guest of the function and the principal, Mr T. C. Aggarwal, presided over it.

Arhtiyas Vs trader

Arhtiyas of the foodgrain market launched a dharna in front of the house of a trader at Ganaur, 16 km from here, yesterday to press their demand for repayment of their money sought as loan from them. Many arhtiyas alleged that the trader had refused to return the money, totalling Rs 1.51 crore, to them. They said that the dharna would continue until the trader repaid the amount.

Hit by train

Mr Om Prakash, a resident of Ahir Majra village, sustained serious injuries when he was hit by a running train while crossing the railway line near the railway station here yesterday. According to a report, the injured person was immediately hospitalised. He is stated to be out of danger.

workers’ strike

Resentment prevails among safai workers of the Sonepat Municipal Council against the non-payment of their salary for the last four months. According to a report, they have threatened to go on strike if they were not paid the salary immediately.

Man shot at Jhajjar

Mr Puran Singh, alias Pappu, was injured seriously when three assailants shot at him in his home at Vats colony of Bahadurgarh here last night. According to sources, Balram, Dayamand and Mahesh used to come to Pappu’s house to make telephone calls. When he objected to this yesterday, they shot him in the head. He was rushed to the civil hospital but was referred to PGI, Rohtak. The Bahadurgarh line PAR police have registered a case against the absconding trio under Sections 307, 452, 34, 25, 54 and 59 of the IPC.

Wrestling Champ

Jitender of Chhara village won the Zila Kesari Award at the district-level Inter Akhara Wrestling Championship concluded at Brigadier Hoshiar Singh Stadium in Bahadurgarh today. Following are the names of winners in their respective weights: Senior age group - 50 kg: Surender 1st and Shamsher 2nd; 54 kg: Satish 1st and Surender 2nd; 63 kg: Sunil 1st and Ramnivas 2nd; 76 kg: Budh Singh 1st and Anil 2nd; and 85 kg: Ramrattan 1st and Balle Ram 2nd. (16-18 age group)- 42 kg: Pradeep 1st and Paloam 2nd; 46 kg: Praveen 1st and Pradeep 2nd: 50 kg: Jaswant1st and Manjeet; 54 kg: Ashok 1st and Jasbir 2nd; 58 kg: Sudhir 1st and Bani Singh 2nd; 63 kg: Rajesh 1st and Rakesh 2nd; 69 kg: Anil 1st and Praveen 2nd; and 76 kg: Ravinder 1st and Manjeet 2nd.

Youth shot dead

Rohtak
A youth was shot dead by an unidentified assailant at Kheri Sampla village today. The deceased has been identified as Krishan. The motive of the crime is yet to be ascertained. The police have registered a case.

Aid to handicapped

Ms Anita Chaudhary, Commissioner, Rohtak Division, today inaugurated an 11-day camp to provide free assistance to the physically and mentally challenged people here. The camp was organised by the Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahaita Samiti, Jaipur and Delhi under the aegis of District Red Cross Society.

Dilli Haat now serving folk festival on a platter
Our Correspondent

New Delhi, January 8
Dilli Haat is one address in the Capital that spells good times for those who love to eat and shop. Currently, it is wooing those with, not just stomachs for food and pockets to shop, an ear for music as well.

Delhi Tourism and Spic Macay have joined hands to provide wholesome entertainment to those visiting Dilli Haat. Spic Macay, a society which has been promoting Indian classical music and culture for the last 25 years, is currently organising a folk festival at Dilli Haat.

The folk festival, which began on January 4, had famous Pandavani performer Teejan Bai and Rajasthani folk singer Rehmat Khan Langa mesmerise the audience with their soulful rendition of songs.

These programmes take place inside the Haat complex and visitors can attend them from at six in the evening without having to buy a separate ticket. These open-air concerts are a welcome step taken by the Tourism Department, which aims at promoting the country’s culture.

For music lovers, there is a virtual feast coming up. Satish Chander Mahto will present the Purulia Chau on January 11. On January 12, the stage will be set for Qwalli singer Mohd. Iqbal Hussain Khan Banda Nawazi. To celebrate Holi, Dilliwallas will have the famous Wadali brothers take them to a spiritual high with their Sufi Kalam. “The idea is to highlight the rich cultural heritage of the country. Folk art and culture need to be specially brought out from where it is confined. Spic Macay had been until now concentrating in schools alone. For the general public, who are not aware of these art forms or are interested in them, attempts like these are made to bridge the gap between them and the arts and culture,” informed the Deputy Manager of Delhi Tourism, Mr Sudhir Sobti. Programmes such as these are an event in the cultural calendar of Delhi Tourism. “We are thinking of various other ways of coming up with programmes that will showcase the richness of our culture,” adds Mr Sobti.

Farmers hold dharna against official apathy
Our Correspondent

Ghaziabad, January 8
Representatives of the Rashtriya Parivartana Dal demonstrated in front of the District Collector’s Office and sat on a dharna. They were protesting against the district administration’s apathy to the farmers’ problems.

“The condition of farmers is constantly going from bad to worse in the state,” said the state general secretary of the Dal, Mr Salim Khan. “They are not paid their balance dues on time,” he added.

Later, the demonstrators handed over a memorandum to the City Magistrate, Mr R. P. Pandey, to be handed over to the Uttar Pradesh Governor. In the memorandum, the agitators demanded immediate payment of balance sugarcane prices, cleaning of canals, supply of power for at least 16 hours to villages, doing away with agency commissions at farm input centres and provision of proper schools and colleges in the rural areas.

Meanwhile, the district unit president of the organisation, Mr Gajander

Yadav, accused the government of constantly exploiting the farmers and the villagers. “The farming sector is being destroyed through a sinister plan under the Dunkel-GATT proposals,” he said.

The mahanagar president of the Dal, Mr Praveen Gupta said the farmers were not getting a fair price for their produce. “They are not able to irrigate their fields properly as canals have not been cleaned for many years and the villages are getting very little power supply,” he alleged.

Mr Satyapal Yadav said the Rashtriya Parivartan Dal would not tolerate exploitation of farmers. They also alleged that the government had not made satisfactory arrangements for their children’s education in the villages.

Cheat falls in police net after duping many
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 8
The anti-robbery section of the Crime Branch arrested an alleged fraud, Yogesh Choudhary, who cheated lakhs of rupees from businessmen in the Capital. He was also allegedly involved in forgery cases.

The suspect, who was an educated person, was the proprietor of two firms — M/S Kailash Enterprises and M/S Jai Impex — involved in the import of different types of goods. He used to give lucrative advertisements in the newspapers with his e-mail address and fax number for the producers interested in exporting their products. Once a party contacted him, he would start giving him lucrative assurances. .

To impress his clients, he used to meet them in good hotels and restaurants in the Connaught Place area. Once he obtained the delivery of the goods from the victim, he would turn coat in his behaviour and dealings with them. He used to issue cheques to these hapless suppliers. Invariable, they would bounce as he never used to keep sufficient funds in his bank account.

The racket came to light when a businessman from Nepal, Keshav Thapa, reported to the anti-robbery section of the Crime Branch that he had supplied Pashmina shawls worth Rs 37.6 lakh to the suspect with the assurance of payment within 15 days. He gave him three cheques, each one of Rs 10 lakh. But the cheques bounced.

The suspect had been previously been involved in two other cases of cheating registered at the Sarojini Nagar police station. Besides, he was involved in several other criminal cases, the police said.

Three robbers held

With the arrest of three persons, the Delhi Police today claimed to have worked out a robbery case and seized the stolen money, identity card of the victim, his DTC pass and three knives. The suspects, Ajay (18), Vinod (23) and Dinesh (27) had allegedly robbed an accountant of Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sangathan, Mr Vinod Kumar Sharma, while he was travelling in a bus on Ring Road. The suspects were arrested red-handed by personnel of PCR van of the Delhi Police. Their one accomplice is absconding. The police have registered a case of robbery and under the Arms Act and are looking for the fourth suspect.

Jail term for two

Two persons were sentenced to six months’ simple imprisonment today for selling and stocking sub-standard drug water for injection. Manoranjan Sehgal of Rana Pratap Bagh and Saroj Kumar of Ashok Vihar were given jail sentences and fined Rs 5,000 each by the Metropolitan Magistrate, Dr Shahabuddin, for violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. According to the Drug Controller, the samples of the drug water for injection supplied by them were declared as not of a standard quality by the government analyst in respect of description, pyrogen and sterility. The case was filed in the court after the Drug Inspector had conducted investigations.

Woman crushed to death

A woman, Husna (40), was crushed to death under a bus (no 533), plying between Mori Gate and Mehrauli. According to the police, the woman on reaching the Mehrauli area tried to get down from the bus, while the bus driver started moving. In the process, she came under the rear wheels of the bus and died on the spot. The police have arrested the driver, Sanjay (35), resident of Tigipur, and registered a case of causing death due to rash and negligent driving.

SI ignores CO’s calls, booked
Our Correspondent

Ghaziabad, January 8
An FIR has been lodged at the Sihani Gate police station here against a Sub Inspector in charge of a police post in Ghaziabad for having absented himself from an inquiry into a land dispute.

A land dispute pertaining to the Nasirpur area reached the office of the Circle Officer-I (DSP), Mr R. S. Gautam. The complainant had alleged that though the City Magistrate had allowed him in writing to go ahead with the construction according to the plan at the site, the officer in charge of the Nasirpur police post insisted on getting written orders from his superiors to this effect.

Mr Gautam summoned the petitioners and the SI in charge of the Nasirpur police post to his office on January 5. However, the SI failed to reach the office till the afternoon on January 6. The SI had been asked repeatedly on the wireless to immediately reach the Circle Officer’s office for the purpose, but he not only failed to turn up, but did not even bother to come on the wireless. Irked by this, the Circle Officer ordered the police control room to file a report at the Sihani Gate police station against the defiant SI.