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Mob goes on rampage after youth’s killing in Ludhiana
Sukhbir’s overseas visit leaves BJP sulking
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Deputy CM selling false hope, says PPCC chief
Holy city gets air link with Australia
Maluka’s relative, ex-Speaker’s son in race for IAS post
Amritsar’s PRTS fails to make any headway
New Punjab Prisons’ Act on anvil
Sangrur water firm flouts safety norms again
3 names shortlisted for PSEB post
‘Whistleblower’ at Rajindra Hospital denied extension
State govt gets tough, books 18 rice millers
Yet another bid to stop Lahore bus
2 killed in clash over land dispute
3 officials dismissed for siphoning rice, wheat
Detained ‘illegally’, woman released after protest
Liquor firm alleges bias in licence renewal
Namdhari Satguru returns from UK
Students protest poor facilities in varsity
Villagers block road after student killed in mishap
Cong’s Henry may be in more trouble
HC: Book policemen for jailing
70-year-old despite bail orders
Amritsar Improvement Trust case
Faridkot
Maharaja case
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Mob goes on rampage after youth’s killing in Ludhiana
Ludhiana, August 29 It was free for all as a mob of around 1,000 people, including women and children, of Jawahar Nagar, Ambedkar Colony and Abdullapur Basti went on rampage, vandalising shops and vehicles near the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT). The traffic in the city was affected after the protesters blocked the Bharat Nagar Chowk during peak hours. Serpentine queues of vehicles were seen on all four directions of Bharat Nagar Chowk. There were reports of massive traffic jam on Ferozepur Road, Pakhowal Road, Sarabha Nagar, Fountain Chowk, Ghumar Mandi and surrounding areas. Miscreants took full advantage of the deteriorating law and order situation and started thrashing the commuters. The hooligans did not even spare women and assaulted them with wooden sticks. Six commuters were reportedly injured in the melee. A few youths tried to set a fuel station on fire, but the police thwarted their attempt. The protesters blocked the chowk from morning till noon. In the evening, they again blocked the chowk for nearly an hour and demanded the arrest of the main accused in the murder case, Arun Kumar. The situation remained tense but under control in Jawahar Nagar and surrounding areas. Heavy police machinery, including Quick Reaction Force (QRT) and anti-riot vehicles, were deployed in the area to tackle any eventuality. The “murder” occurred around midnight when the victim, Shammi Kumar of Ambedkar Nagar near Model Town Extension, had gone to Jawahar Nagar to meet his sister. On his way home, he was allegedly intercepted by Arun Kumar and his accomplices and attacked with a knife. The victim’s relatives shifted Shammi to a private hospital. He was then referred to the local Civil Hospital where doctors declared him “brought dead”. Assistant Commissioner of Police (West) Gurpreet Kaur Purewal said a murder case had been registered against Arun Kumar and his accomplices. A personal enmity was stated to be the reason behind the killing. The accused is said to be a close relative of area councillor Kapil Kumar alias Sonu. The victim’s relatives alleged that Shammi was killed at the councillor’s behest.
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Sukhbir’s overseas visit leaves BJP sulking
Chandigarh, August 29 The simmering discontent has intensified with the overseas visit of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to study road cleaning, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and solid waste management, all of which fall under the Department of Local Bodies held by the BJP. But no BJP leader has accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister to Turkey. The Deputy CM, who is in Turkey, today visited the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality to study solid waste management and the road cleaning system devised by the municipality. He is being accompanied by a team of bureaucrats, including the secretary, PWD, Secretary, Housing, Secretary, Local Bodies, and Managing-Director, Punjab Infrastructure Development Board. But the Local Bodies Minister and the Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Local Bodies, are not part of the deliberations that include meeting representatives of companies running these services in Turkey. These representatives have been invited to submit proposals for replicating these systems in Punjab. Another development that has caused heartburn in the BJP camp is the issue of appointing an IAS officer as Managing- Director of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board. While important decisions in the board were taken by the chairman, Dr Baldev Chawla (from the BJP) till his resignation recently, the BJP perceives the decision to appoint an IAS officer
as MD as an attempt by the Akalis to assert their authority in this cash-rich board. A proposal by the Akali leadership for proper and timely utilisation of funds has not gone down well with the BJP. Tension between the alliance partners has been brewing since the beginning of the government's second term. When ministerial portfolios were allocated, the BJP was given the Local Bodies Department, while the Akalis kept Urban Development. While the BJP was given the Industries Department, the Akalis retained Investment Promotion. However, the Akali leadership feels that it has given a lot of leverage to the BJP and the latter is taken into confidence on every decision. “At every step, we have taken them (BJP) on board, be it implementation of e-TRIP, imposition of fee for regularising illegal colonies or new taxes to supplement the state’s revenue. “Wherever the alliance partner has raised its concerns, we have addressed these so as not to harm their political interests,” said a senior party leader.
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Deputy CM selling false hope, says PPCC chief
Phillaur, August 29 He ridiculed the working style of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. “The Deputy Chief Minister is selling false dreams to the people. Badal Junior, who is on a visit to Istanbul, is issuing statements that the government is ready to implement the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS). He should first explain the purpose of his visit and the fate of the much-touted Metro project,” he said. He advised Sukhbir to travel by road to assess the plight of the common man. “States like Bihar are performing better than Punjab as far as development goes,” Bajwa claimed while addressing a gathering at Phillaur, constituency of senior Congress leader Chaudhary Santokh Singh. Among others who spoke were senior party leaders Tarlochan Singh Soond, Chaudhary Santokh Singh, Guriqbal Kaur, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, Avtar Henry, Amarjit Singh Samra, Satnam Kainth, Kanwaljit Singh Lalli, Tejinder Bittu, Arun Walia, Dr Ram Lal Jassi, Jai Kishen Saini, CD Kamboj, Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary and Prof Gurvinder Singh Mamanke. Flaying the SAD-BJP alliance for its “failure” to pay DA installments to its employees and the delay in payment of 30 per cent arrears of the Fifth Pay Commission, Bajwa warned that if the situation persisted, the employees would have to observe a "black Diwali" this year. He demanded that an emergency session of the Vidhan Sabha be called to discuss the state's finances. “It is ironical that Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa has asked the employees to opt for DA installments or commission dues. The minister has accepted that the state economy is in a shambles and that the state government has no funds to run day-to-day affairs," the PPCC chief said. He alleged that the present fiscal mess was the government's own doing. “Mismanagement of resources, rampant corruption in government, overspending and a heavy top brass are some of the reasons for the poor economic performance of this government. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is wasting public funds on Sangat Darshan programmes,” Bajwa alleged. He asked the CM to shut down loss-making boards and corporations and remove all Chief Parliamentary Secretaries to overcome the crisis.
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Holy city gets air link with Australia
Amritsar, August 29 Sources in Air India said 31 Australia-bound passengers took the connecting flight from Amritsar to New Delhi on the inaugural day today. The flight route will be Amritsar-Delhi-Melbourne-Sydney for three days in a week. For the remaining four days its route will be Amritsar-Delhi-Sydney-Melbourne. The flight will depart from the Amritsar airport at 10.30 am and reach Delhi at 11.45 am. It will depart from New Delhi at 1 pm on days it is bound for Melbourne and on the days of the Sydney-bound flight, it will take off from New Delhi at 1.45 pm. The passengers taking the flight from Amritsar will have to change the flight and board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in New Delhi. The flight duration from New Delhi to Australia is a little over 12 hours. The Amritsar-Australia air connectivity will be particularly beneficial for the region's residents whose children are studying in Australia. Earlier, they had to reach Delhi through road or rail for catching a flight
to Australia. This is the second flight launch by Air India from Amritsar this month. Earlier on August 1, it had launched the Amritsar-New Delhi-Birmingham flight. The flight, a new 256-seater Boeing 787 Dreamliner with 238 economy and 18 business class seats, operates on four days a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. “These air links will give the much-needed boost to Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport, Amritsar reeling under annual losses to the tune of more than Rs 50 crore,” said Airport Director Suneel
Dutt.
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Maluka’s relative, ex-Speaker’s son in race for IAS post
Chandigarh, August 29 The three officers with a strong political clout, along with 23 other aspirants, had an “interaction” with a four- member team of top bureaucrats, headed by Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh, to determine their eligibility for the panel to be sent to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). Fifteen of these aspirants were called for an "interaction" this afternoon. The remaining aspirants are scheduled to meet the selection committee on September 2. Official sources said once the “interactions” are over, the committee will recommend five names to the Chief Minister who would forward these to the DoPT for consideration. It is learnt that 50 per cent of the state’s cadre is required to comprise PCS officers, who are promoted to the IAS. Of this 50 per cent, the state, in case of any emergency, can appoint a maximum of 10 per cent officers from among the non-PCS cadre. The sources said at the most eight persons could be appointed to the IAS from among the non-PCS officers. As of now, only three non-PCS officers are on IAS posts. The officers are DS Grewal, Secretary, Food and Supplies, KS Pannu, Secretary, Agriculture, and VK Sharma, Commissioner, Ferozepur Division. Ten officers from the Excise and Taxation Department are aspiring for the single IAS post. They are Navdeep Kaur Bhinder, Naresh Dubey, Lajpal Singh Jakhar, Baldeep Kaur, Pawan Kumar Garg, Rajpal Singh, Harsimrat Kaur, BK Virdi, Paramjit Singh and Jaskaran Singh.
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Villages flooded, residents blame political rivalry
Muktsar, August 29 In the worst-affected Haraj village, nearly 60 per cent of its population has been displaced and except a link road, there is no other way left to enter the village. The villagers blame political rivalry for their plight. “We had elected a Congress man as the village sarpanch. The district administration is thus least bothered about us. The floodwater has receded in the adjoining villages, but there is not let up in the situation in our village. Not a single water pump has been installed in our village to drain out rainwater,” claimed Sukhdeep Singh, a resident. Balraj Singh, another resident, said: “The drain is about 1 km away from the village and the nearest canal is about 2 km away. The only option is to dig up land and make way to release the floodwater in the drain. But the residents of nearby villages are not allowing us, fearing that their fields will be flooded. Even the district administration is apathetic towards our problems.” The situation became tense this afternoon when some residents of the village tried to make way for the release of stagnated water and residents of Warring, Chauntra, Jhabelwali villages objected to it. Khokhar, Udekaran, Warring, Jammuana, Thandewala, Sakkanwali, Bhundar, Lundewala, Badian and Bhullar villages are also facing similar problems. Meanwhile, Jagjeet Singh ‘Honey’ Fattanwala, a cousin of PPP president Manpreet Singh Badal, alleged that the district administration had dug up the Muktsar-Jalalabad road near Akalgarh village to inundate his fields due to political reasons. “My 35 acres of agricultural land is inundated. The district administration is working at Akalis’ behest. There is no further way to drain out the water from my fields. I will take up this matter in the high court,” he said. Besides, the 25-feet breach on the road had been causing troubles to the commuters as they had to take a detour to reach Jalalabad, travelling an additional 20 km, he added. Paramjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Muktsar, said: “The public had dug up the road. Action will be taken against all those found guilty.” He said: “Residents of a number of villages are not co-operating with us. This has affected the drainage work since we have to look after the law and order situation as well.” Farmers claimed that due to slow pace of drainage work, they would not even be able to sow the next crop. Meanwhile, sources said the rainwater flooded the villages due to a faulty drainage system, causing losses worth crores to the residents and the state exchequer. Despite this, not a single official had so far been indicted, they added. Even Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, during his recent visit to flood-affected villages, had blamed the Drainage Department for the flood situation, but he did not recommend action against any official. A senior official also admitted that the faulty alignment of drains was responsible for floods. Several villagers alleged that the drains were not cleaned while some officials also blamed political interference for the situation.
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Amritsar’s PRTS fails to make any headway
Amritsar, August 29 The Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) had invited fresh bids earlier this year in view of the alterations in the PRTS route following apprehensions by heritage lovers that the original design may take a toll on the walled city’s architecture and its historic landmarks. The PIDB had invited bids for the project through an advertisement dated February 22, 2013, while the last date for receiving the bids was April 26, which was later extended till May 21. Incidentally, ULTra Fairwood Pte Ltd, which had bagged the project during the first bid, is the lone bidder for the project this time. An official of the firm, Ashish Kumar, confirmed they had submitted the tender on May 21 this year and negotiations were held in mid-July. He said they were yet to receive the Letter of Award. PIDB general manager SS Chugh, however, said the matter was pending before the Committee of Officers constituted by the board’s executive committee. He said final negotiations with the promoter were underway. He said he could not specify any time frame in which the tender will be awarded. In July last year, The Tribune had highlighted the concerns of the heritage lovers who had expressed apprehensions in these columns that the PRTS project will eclipse the view of the holy city’s significant landmarks like the Jallianwalla Bagh and the Golden Temple. Subsequently, the government changed the route plan from the railway station to the Golden Temple. Under the new plan, the guideway for the PRTS will not enter into the walled city through the Hall Gate. Instead, it will take a left turn towards Chitra Cinema and get into the walled city through the Rambagh Chowk. From there, it will pass through Bijliwala Chowk to reach Katra Jaimal Singh before heading towards the Golden Temple. Earlier, it was supposed to enter into the walled city through the Hall Gate and pass through the Hall Bazaar. However, it was obstructing the view of the Hall Gate as well as the Town Hall. There is also a plan that the guideway will span across the approach road to the Jallianwalla Bagh and the Golden Temple to facilitate the clear view of these landmarks. Besides, the height of the guideway will be raised to 30 feet on both these stretches as against the height of 20 feet in other sections of the route.
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New Punjab Prisons’ Act on anvil
Patiala, August 29 The proposed Act, which is in its final stage, will be sent to the government within a month to be finally cleared by the Punjab Cabinet. Punjab prisons were hit by increasing number of riots in the recent past. The officials said the Punjab Prison and Correctional Services Act will replace the existing Punjab Prisons Act 1894. The Act will facilitate better education facilities for inmates. As the new act comes into force, the government will provide better counselling for drug addicts and
criminals in order to rehabilitate them. Special emphasis will also be laid on protecting the criminals’ rights. This will mean more health facilities and medical staff in jail hospitals. Sources said a few objections were raised to the rough proposal that was sent to the government almost a month ago. “All the objections have now been rectified and a final draft will be sent to
the cabinet for clearance,” they said. The new Act (yet to be notified) has made a provision for a “prisoners’ panchayat” that will take up routine matters troubling the inmates and will further take it up with the jail authorities. The panchayats will be consulted by the jail wing in finalising jail functions, sporting activities and
the kitchen menu, for better coordination among inmates. “The panchayat will help solve minor issues in an amicable way. At present several inmates refuse to take medical tests for
the diagnosis of their health issues. “However, with this panchayat system, it would be easier for the jail staff to identify drug addicts,” said Rajpal Meena, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Prisons, adding, that as per the new draft, drug addicts would be separated from the other inmates. Further, hardcore and habitual criminals would be separated from others and they would not be allowed easy access outside their wards, Meena said. Meanwhile, insiders in the jail wing said the Act would not help in tackling hardcore criminals lodged in Punjab jails.
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Sangrur water firm flouts safety norms again
Sangrur, August 29 The Food Analyst in his report stated the wrapper on the cardboard box did not carry necessary information such as batch number, date of manufacturing, date of expiry, etc. This is mandatory under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA). Moreover, it was misbranded and unsafe for human consumption. Dr Surinder Singla, District Health Officer (DHO)-cum-designated officer (Food Safety), Sangrur, said the sample of Naina packaged water collected earlier in December 2012 had also been declared misbranded and unsafe for human consumption by Food Analyst Punjab, Chandigarh. Dr Singla said the owner of the said company even got the sample tested at the Referral Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, in December. But, it was found to be misbranded and unsafe with traces of cyanide. Even Iron was found above the maximum prescribed limits in the water. Dr Singla said now the owner of the company has been served a notice. They would be given an opportunity to get the second sample analysed from the Referral Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, whose result would be final, he said. He said the matter had already been taken to court.
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3 names shortlisted for PSEB post
Mohali, August 29 The officers are Paramjit Singh, Charan Singh and Satinder Pal Singh. The government has also approved three names as recommended by the board authorities to be included in the panel. These three PSEB officials are Chief Engineer Gurinder Pal Singh Batth, Joint Secretary Janak Raj Mehrok and Senior Legal Adviser Sukhwinder Saroya. Saroya is under suspension at present. Now, the Board of Directors of the PSEB would select the Secretary in its next meeting likely to be held within 15 days.
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‘Whistleblower’ at Rajindra Hospital denied extension
Patiala, August 29 Sister-in-charge Paramjeet Kaur Kamboj confirmed she had been refused extension. Sources said after the sister-in-charge had given statements to the two-member committee set up by Punjab Chief Minister to investigate the matter, she was issued expired medicines. The nurse was continuously being pressured by hospital authorities to take the blame on the issue. Therefore, she withdrew her application to get a job extension, sources said. However, after one of the senior authorities had publicly said that she withdrew her application because she was guilty, she applied for the same again. But the authorities now say she did not apply
in time. Dr VK Sharda, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, said an employee had to apply for extension three months in advance. “The sister had earlier applied for the extension within the time but later she withdrew her application. Now with just few days left in her retirement, she has once again applied for extension. We can’t change the rules for anyone. We have already sent a letter to her in this regard, describing all the rules,” he said.
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State govt gets tough, books 18 rice millers
Chandigarh, August 29 There are 480 rice mills that have yet to mill 4 per cent-5 per cent of their stock. For such mills, the Centre has been requested to extend the deadline to September 30. The milling was to be completed by July 31. As of now, 3.86 lakh tonnes of rice is yet to be deposited with the central pool. Punjab has so far contributed 94 lakh tonnes of rice to the central pool. "The defaulters will be refused fresh stock of paddy for milling in October. The millers will have to surrender the remaining stock of rice or deposit money in lieu to be eligible for fresh stocks," said DS Grewal, Secretary, Food and Supplies. He said they were steadily streamlining the milling system. Paddy procurement will begin in October. Already, more than 6 lakh bales (each containing 500 gunny bags) have arrived. The total requirement is about 7 lakh bales.
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Yet another bid to stop Lahore bus
Amritsar, August 29 Members of various Dalit unions earlier blocked the Amritsar-Jalandhar GT Road near Manawala for an hour. Headed by Dr Inder Pal, general secretary, National Centre for Labour, the protesters alleged that Dalits were being targeted by upper caste people. He alleged the police was siding with the accused. The police initially tried to pacify the protesters but when they did not relent, it diverted the bus route. Superintendent of Police (D) Jasdeep Singh confirmed the route was diverted to prevent any untoward incident. He said the demands of the protesters had been accepted and the police stations concerned had been directed to solve their issues within a fixed time frame. Punjab Youth Congress activists had recently stopped the bus on the Amritsar-Attari bypass, forcing the Police Department to strengthen its security during its journey from Beas to Attari. Shiv Sena activists also made a similar attempt, though it remained unsuccessful.
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2 killed in clash over land dispute
Abohar, August 29 Sources said Hanuman Dass had purchased more than 9 acres of agricultural land from Raja Ram Chaudhary of Fazilka a few years ago. As Vikram Chaudhary of Jain Nagar was in possession of the land, Hanuman Dass initiated legal proceedings against the former. The court reportedly decided the case in favour of Hanuman Dass and directed the administration to restore possession in his favour. Some Revenue Department officials reached Raipura this afternoon to implement the court orders. After being opposed by the other group, they returned to get police help. The sources said after their departure, the two rival groups started firing at each other. Hanuman Dass and his son Sandeep died on the spot. Sandeep’s brother Sugreev and Vikram Chaudhary’s relative Sunil Kumar were injured. Both were rushed to the local Civil Hospital from where they were taken to Faridkot. Two more persons were admitted to the hospital here. Their identity is yet to be ascertained.
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3 officials dismissed for siphoning rice, wheat
Moga, August 29 The three officials, manager Kuldip Sharma and technical assistants Kulwinder Singh and Jaspreet Kaur, were posted in Jain’s hometown. The district manager, Akshar Kumar, has also been transferred from Moga, though his new place of posting was yet to be announced. Another official has been reverted to his previous designation for “negligence in duty”. Sources said a recovery of Rs 85 lakh had been ordered from these officials, for which a separate suit would be filed. Thousands of tonnes of wheat and rice had gone missing from a storehouse located on the outskirts of the Moga city. Besides, hundreds of tonnes of wheat was damaged due to high humidity. Sharma was in charge of the storehouse while the two technical assistants were responsible for the upkeep and safe storage of the foodgrain, which has been rendered unfit for human consumption. An inquiry had found that wooden crates and thousands of gunny bags worth Rs 20 lakh were missing from the storehouse, which could have probably been sold in the market.
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Detained ‘illegally’, woman released after protest
Qadian (Gurdaspur),
August 29 Sources said a team led by drug inspectors Lukhwant Singh and Ramneek Singh, and DSP Harisharan Sharma, raided a chemist shop and allegedly took into custody Daljit Kaur, wife of Congress leader Sukhwinder Pal Singh Bhatia. The police took her to the Qadian police station. After learning about the incident, hundreds of Congress workers, led by Charanjit Kaur Bajwa, held a protest. The MLA alleged that the police was working under pressure from ruling alliance leaders to terrorise Congress workers. JS Grewal, SDM, rushed to the spot and ordered the release of Daljit Kaur. Surinderjit Singh Mand, SSP, said on a tip-off, a police team along with drugs inspectors had raided three chemist shops at
Qadian.
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Liquor firm alleges bias in licence renewal
Chandigarh, August 29 In a petition filed before the High Court, Jalandhar-based Global Wines and Spirits has alleged that the licences of violators were renewed while their plea was turned down even though they were not even accused of a single irregularity. Alleging adoption of pick and choose method in the matter of renewing licences, petitioner’s counsel Vikram Jain contended that more than 60 licences were renewed during 2013-14, either under the same or changed name. Information procured under the Right to Information Act made it evident that at least some of them were even proceeded against for irregularities. Jain contended their plea for renewal of L-1 licence was arbitrarily rejected even though not a single fault was attributed to it. Acting on the petition, the Division Bench of Justice Rajive Bhalla and Justice Bharat Bhushan Parsoon today issued notice of motion on the petition seeking renewal of wholesale liquor licence. The case will now come up for further hearing on September 20.
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Namdhari Satguru returns from UK
Bhaini Sahib, August 29 Surinder Singh Namdhari, vice-president of Namdhari Darbar, said a large number of followers started pouring in at Bhaini Sahib when they Namdhari said there was no tension in and around the Dera and that the Satguru would attend a function at Himatpura village tomorrow. Lakhvir Singh Namdhari said Mata Chand Kaur and other senior functionaries along with the Satguru had also returned to the dera. He said that Satguru Uday went to a hospital at Banglore for a check-up after returning from England.
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Students protest poor facilities in varsity
The protesters closed both the gates of Punjabi University inconveniencing fellow students employees and visitors. They demanded 24-hour wi-fi facility in hostels, a cooperative mess to improve food quality in University College of Engineering (UCOE). They further demanded that roads be constructed
in front of hostels and potable water be supplied in the same. SYFI President Harman Singh Panjeta said while UCOE was the biggest department in the university and students were compelled to pay hefty fee, the university authorities had not provided them proper facilities. While the strength of UCOE was about 4,000, there was no permanent placement cell for the department. Moreover, the laboratories were in a bad shape and lacked basic equipments, he said.
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Villagers block road after student killed in mishap
Sangrur, August 29 Two girls, including Arshpreet Kaur, were killed in the road accident yesterday. The protesters raised slogans against the Department of Health. The protesters were demanding strict action against a doctor at the Malerkotla Civil Hospital, who had referred both the occupants of the car to Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. They alleged that the girls were killed due to the negligence of the car driver. On receiving information about the dharna, Malerkotla Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Amargarh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Amargarh MLA and Sangrur Civil Surgeon reached the spot to pacify the protesters. However, they were adamant on their demands. The dharna was later lifted when the officials assured them of taking up the matter with the Director, Health.
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Cong’s Henry may be in more trouble
As the issue came up for resumed hearing, the High Court was informed that officer-in-charge of the Braider police station had moved the court of the Judicial Magistrate (First Class), Harpreet Singh, under directions of the Jalandhar Commissioner of Police, Gaurav Yadav. This was stated by Yadav in his additional affidavit dated August 23. Yadav had initially taken the stand that he had requested the Regional Deputy Director, Urban Local Government, and the Jalandhar Returning Officer to initiate legal action under Section 12-A of the Representation of the People Act against Henry, as the offence was non-cognisable. He, however, declined to initiate the prosecution of Henry, observing that a revision petition filed by the former minister was pending adjudication. The High Court had earlier issued a notice of motion to Yadav on a contempt petition for not registering an FIR against the former Cabinet minister. The petition, alleging disobedience of the High Court order dated December 19, 2012, was filed by Ajay Sehgal of Jalandhar. The High Court had directed the Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar, to look into the allegations levelled by Sehgal in his complaint dated September 27, 2012, requesting for an FIR against Henry under the provisions of the Foreigners Act and under Sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of Indian Penal Code. The High Court had further directed the Police Commissioner to register an FIR against Henry, if allegations levelled by Sehgal appeared to be prima facie correct. Action on the complaint was directed to the completed within two months. Pursuant to the order, Yadav passed an order on February 18, concluding that Henry had contested the assembly elections in 1986, 1992, 1997,2002, 2007 and 2012 by submitting an affidavit to the effect that he was a citizen of India. But instead of ordering an FIR against Henry under section 125-A of the Representation of the People Act, he disposed of the complaint with the observation that a copy of the order was being sent to the Regional Deputy Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jalandhar, and a request that legal action be taken against Henry.
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HC: Book policemen for jailing
70-year-old despite bail orders
Chandigarh, August 29 Justice Sanghi also ordered a thorough probe after it transpired that the girl, Manjit Kaur was accused of abducting, had left on her own and was staying at Shimla on her own free will. The strictures come at a time when the Opposition is training its guns at the government for its failure to rein in the Punjab Police. The police has already been slammed by the Supreme Court in the Tarn Taran incident, in which two constables were caught on camera brutally thrashing a young woman. Justice Sanghi asserted: “It is a unique case of high handedness on part of the police to arrest and lodge in jail an infirm and old lady of 70 years, who was granted bail by the court of competent jurisdiction”. A resident of Jalandhar, Manjit Kaur, was booked for abduction and other offences under Sections 120-B, 364 and 365 of the IPC. A case was registered in the matter on December 30, 2012, at the Maqsudan police station in Jalandhar district on the complaint of Surinder Kumar, who had told the police that his daughter left the house, but did not return. He also pointed a finger of suspicion at Amrik Singh. Initially, the FIR was registered for the offences punishable under Sections 120-B and 365 of the IPC. During investigation, Manjit Kaur, mother-in-law of Amrik Singh, was arrested on January 17. She was granted bail soon after. Subsequently, Section 364 was added and Manjit Kaur was re-arrested after the complainant alleged his daughter was abducted by Amrik Singh and the co-accused with an intention to kill. Justice Sanghi asserted the alleged detainee stated before the court that she was neither induced nor pressured her to leave her father’s house. She went to Shimla and was still residing there.
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Amritsar
Improvement Trust case
Mohali, August 29 Captain Amarinder Singh has not been attending the court proceedings since July 12 when he had submitted a bond to go abroad for one month. The other accused, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, former state cabinet minister, also failed to turn up in court today. The Additional District and Sessions Judge (senior division) Parminderpal Singh directed Captain Amarinder and Jagjit Singh’s counsels to ensure their clients’ presence on the next date of hearing. At present, charges are being framed against the accused in the court. The other accused, Baljit Singh and Rajiv Bhagat, who had moved an application in the court to drop their names out of the case withdrew their application today. Thereafter, the Vigilance Bureau presented its version on the matter. A case under certain Sections of Prevention of Corruption Act against Captain Amarinder Singh and the other accused was registered at Punjab Vigilance Police Station at Phase 8 in 2007 following complaints of irregularities involving 32 acres of land belonging to the Amritsar Improvement Trust. Captain Amarinder has also filed a separate case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to quash the Vigilance case against him. The High Court has set September 3 as the next hearing.
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Faridkot
Maharaja case
Chandigarh, August 29 Bharatinder, in his appeal filed on August 27, had stated that “the court failed to consider the law of
primogeniture while deciding the case.” The court has asked both the defendants to file a reply on September 27. The Maharwal Khewaji Trust, overseeing the affairs of the Maharaja’s properties, has already filed an appeal against the lower court order. It was on July 25 that Chief Judicial Magistrate Rajnish Kumar Sharma, disposing of a petition filed by Amrit Kaur, the eldest daughter of Maharaja, had declared the will as “null and void”, making the trust non-existent. The decision entitled the two daughters to
inherit property worth Rs 20,000 crore. The trust filed an appeal against this order on August 22. The sessions court had stayed the operation of the lower court’s decision till September 26, the next date of hearing.
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Phillaur, August 29
Amritsar, August 29
The report
Patiala, August 29
Chandigarh, August 29