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Irked over tardy wheat lifting, labourers block
highway
Wheat lying in Fazilka mandi rots
State told to submit report on misuse of Red Cross funds
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Jakhar files complaint with cyber cell
Cong leaders squabble over party nomination
BJP leaders want Akalis to take blame for Jaitley's defeat
Education Minister warns shirkers
New bus terminal running in losses
PRTC staff block roads
20 ‘tortured’ youths escape
from de-addiction centre
One of the victims undergoing treatment at the district hospital in Moga on Tuesday. Tribune photo
Pak Sikhs approve amended Nanakshahi Calendar: SGPC
SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on Tuesday . Tribune photo
BDS interns drown, parents damage college property
Divers searching for the youths in the canal in Moga on Tuesday (left) and the damaged property on the college campus; victims Sunil Kumar and Amardeep Singh (inset) . Tribune photos
Rajasthan farmers move green panel
State forms panel to ensure compliance of fly ash norms
‘Distorted’ photo of dera head triggers violence in
Kotkapura
Sangrur MP sings, stings Punjabi singers
Bhagwant Mann
3 months on, robbery case unsolved
Four die in mishaps
SC slams Punjab for paying pension to ineligible person
Accused denied anticipatory bail
Ensure legal auction of mines: High Court to state
Court grants bail to accused in
drug case
Disability pension can’t be denied for want of reasons: HC
Anil Joshi gets exemption from court appearance
HC no to riot victim's plea for enhanced compensation
Man held for raping minor
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Irked over tardy wheat lifting, labourers block
highway
Abohar, May 20 Labour union president Prem Pal said work had been suspended in all the grain yards, rendering hundreds of daily wage earners jobless. For the past four days, 45,000 bags were waiting to be lifted in the grain yard in Kundal village, 60,000 in Panjkosi and 34,000 in Maujgarh for the past ten days. The bags were stinking due to incessant rains. At least 45,000 bags have been stolen from the Bhagu village yard. Similar attempts were made in Seetogunno village. The protesters threatened to strike work in all the purchase centres on Thursday. Meanwhile, members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union and the Arhtia Association said the state government had promised to ensure the lifting of wheat bags within 48 hours, payments were to be made in 72 hours but none of the government agencies adhered to it and payments have not been made after May 6 whereas farmers need money for sowing cotton crop besides meeting other responsibilities.
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Wheat lying in Fazilka mandi rots
Fazilka, May 20 The stacked bags have gained excessive moisture. The lowest layer of the stocked wheat bags that were submerged due to rain has started sprouting. "The procuring agencies have directed commission agents to refill the bags after sifting due to the high moisture content. This will cause substantial loss of wheat and money," said Aarhtiya Association president Shriniwas Bihani. DS Grewal, Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Punjab, who visited the Fazilka grain market today, said repeated rain spells had played a spoilsport in the lifting in Abohar and Fazilka grain markets. Shriniwas Bihani along with other office-bearers after holding meeting with the Secretary has demanded that responsibility should be fixed for delay in lifting. Market Committee sources said out of the total 25,84,810 quintals in the Fazilka grain market and its 28 rural purchase centres, 5,07,500 quintals of wheat was waiting to be lifted even though it had been two weeks that the arrival season had ended.
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State told to submit report on misuse of Red Cross funds
Chandigarh, May 20 As the case came up for resumed hearing, the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to submit a compliance report on action taken against the erring officials. For the purpose, the Bench fixed August 2 as the deadline. The Bench also asked the governments to act against tainted officials expeditiously. Appearing before the Bench, the counsel for the State of Punjab claimed initiation of process to recover money from officials found liable for misusing funds. An inquiry committee headed by Financial Commissioner, Revenue, has already found culpability and impropriety against nine serving and retired IAS officers for improper use of Red Cross Society funds, including Vikas Garg, SR Ladhar, Sarvjit Singh, K Siva Prasad, Anjali Bhawra and Kumar Rahul. Retired officers include JR Kundal, KS Sidhu and Harkesh Sindh Sidhu. In its report to the High Court, the state government had claimed most of these cases were now pending approval from the personnel department. The inquiry committee of Justice AL Bahri and Justice RK Nehru has already stated it was of the prima facie view that district Red Cross funds had been misused, and suggested the circulation of a list of dos and don’ts to stop the misuse by the deputy commissioners-cum-ex-officio presidents of the societies. Included in the list of don’ts are grants to clubs, religious institutions, samitis or other
organisations; expenditure on the maintenance of parks or beautification of cities. The High Court had earlier taken cognisance of apparent “large scale and rampant
mis-utilization of funds” for Red Cross activities in the region and has asked the two former judges to look into it. Reports indicate the funds have been used for paying electricity bills, buying water coolers and repairing the escort vehicles of a deputy commissioner. Tsunami funds have not been deposited, Cyclone funds have met the same fate. Case details * The counsel for the state government said the action against the guilty had been initiated * Nine serving and retired IAS officers were found guilty of improper use of Red Cross Society funds.
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Jakhar files complaint with cyber cell
Abohar, May 20 Many mediapersons have also received a mail which quotes Jakhar's wife as saying, "Sunil and I are in London (UK). We flew in over the weekend for a wedding. Everything was fine and we were getting ready to return home until yesterday, when Sunil fell from the hotel stairs and was rushed to hospital. The x-ray result shows a fractured spine, a broken arm and a head injury. The doctor said they would operate upon his spine to increase his chances of walking again but I have to deposit £ 2,000 and our medical insurance will cover the rest of the bill. I didn't budget for this and can't operate our bank account here to withdraw money. I am wondering if you could loan me the amount. We will pay back immediately when we return home."
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Cong leaders squabble over party nomination
Bathinda, May 20 The Talwandi Sabo Assembly segment seat fell vacant after sitting Congress MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu joined the SAD, weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The Talwandi Sabo seat has been a Congress stronghold. General secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Harminder Singh Jassi has won the seat thrice and Sidhu held the seat after him till he defected to the SAD. Sources say the SAD may field Sidhu from here. Despite Jassi's claim that he is willing to taking on any role that the party offers him, it is a known fact that he is keen on fielding his son, Sunpreet Jassi, from Talwandi Sabo. But Congress leaders of the rival group have begun expressing their displeasure with Jassi.They say the latter failed to ensure a lead for the Congress-PPP-CPI candidate, Manpreet Singh Badal, in Talwandi Sabo during the Lok Sabha elections. Former municipal councillor Jagroop Singh Gill, known for his anti-Jassi stand, said he was hopeful that the party would field him as he belonged to Talwandi Sabo. He said he was ready to “take on more responsibility”. Another Congress leader Chiranji Lal Garg said a leader (read Jassi) who had failed miserably in the Lok Sabha elections could not be expected to ensure a victory for the party. Meanwhile, sources said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) may field singer Balkar Sidhu for the seat. He is seen close to AAP's Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann. AAP’s election campaign committee convener Sumail Singh Sidhu denied such reports. He said a formal discussion on the issue was yet to take place. Party stronghold *
The Talwandi Sabo Assembly segment seat fell vacant after sitting Congress MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu joined the SAD, weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections *
The Talwandi Sabo seat has been a Congress stronghold * PPCC general secretary Harminder Singh Jassi has won the seat thrice and Sidhu held the seat after him till he defected to the SAD.
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23 Cong MLAs seek Bajwa's resignation
Chandigarh, May 20 Kewal Dhillon, Rana Gurmit Sodhi, Jagmohan Kang, Dr Raj Kumar Verka, OP Soni, Navtej Cheema, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Gurcharan Singh Boparai, Joginder Singh Panjgrian, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Harchand Kaur, Mohammad Sadique, Gur Iqbal Kaur, Hardayal Kambhoj, Rana Gurjeet, Ramanjit Singh Sikki, Sukh Sarkaria, Amrik Singh Dhillon, Ajaib Singh Bhatti, Sunder Sham Arora, Rajnish Babby and Gurkirat Singh Kotli, (all MLAs), Rana KP Singh, Love Kumar Goldy, Tarsem DC, Ranjeet Singh Chhajalwadi, Chaudhary Jagjit, Raman Bhalla, Makhan Singh, Sher Singh Gaggowal, Surjit Singh Dhiman, Ajaib Singh Rataul, Sunil Datti, Kaka Lohgarh, Dr Dharamvir Agnihotri, Gupreet Kangar, Jugal Kishore, Kikki Dhillon, Avtar Henry and Jalandhar district president Jagbir Brar, said Bajwa must own moral responsibility for the defeat. They pointed out that AICC president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi too had taken responsibility for the Congress' poor show and had offered to quit. Capt Amarinder Singh too had offered to resign after the defeat in the 2012 assembly elections, they said. They said the Congress vote share had fallen to 33 per cent from 45 per cent in 2012 and the party with the maximum number of MPs earlier had been reduced to the third spot. The party lead in Assembly segments had come down from 46 to 29. They asked Bajwa how he could blame others when he had lost from his home turf of Qadian. The seat is represented by his wife Charanjeet Kaur. The Congress leaders said Bajwa had projected himself as a prospective CM, but the voters in all nine segments of the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat had rejected him. Up in arms *
Congress leaders ask Bajwa to own responsibility for the poll debacle and quit as PPCC chief *
They ask him to emulate AICC president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi who, while taking responsibility for the Congress' poor show, had offered to quit *
Capt Amarinder Singh too had offered to resign after the defeat in the 2012 assembly elections, they say *
They say the Congress vote share has come down to 33 per cent from 45 per cent in 2012 and the party lead in Assembly segments from 46 to 29. *
They say Bajwa can't blame others when he had himself lost from his home turf of Qadian
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Congress panel to probe state’s electoral losses
New Delhi, May 20 Party general secretary and in charge of Punjab affairs Shakeel Ahmed said the committee would look into the reasons for the party's unexpected defeat in several constituencies. The Congress could win only three seats. It had won eight seats in the 2009 elections. Ahmed said the CWC was of the opinion that state party units must be held accountable for the electoral losses. The Congress central leadership had taken exception to the comments made by certain party MLAs against Punjab Congress president Partap
Bajwa, openly calling for his resignation. Ahmed said they should have raised their concerns at the party
fora. On the rift within the state unit, Ahmed said: "Indiscipline will not be tolerated. Strong action will be taken against MLAs making unsavoury statements against their colleagues. We will look at every Lok Sabha seat to see how many votes our candidates polled in specific Assembly segments. Legislators in whose areas the party candidates performed poorly will be asked to explain ." Sources in the party said former MPs who did not contest the elections could be part of the five-member committee. Taking stock *
The Punjab Congress could win only 3 seats * It had won eight seats in the 2009 elections *
The CWC is said to be of the opinion that state units must be held accountable for the election losses
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BJP leaders want Akalis to take blame for Jaitley's defeat
Amritsar, May 20 Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had said yesterday that the SAD had done its best for Jaitley and had helped him score a big lead in two Assembly segments. Before him, Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia had pointed out that the Akalis had helped Jaitley get an overall lead of more than 5,000 votes in their five Assembly segments. When approached, state BJP chief Kamal Sharma chose not to speak on the matter. The SAD's move to share responsibility for Jaitley's defeat doesn't seem to have gone down well within the
BJP. A local BJP leader said: "It is a known fact that the Badals had persuaded Jaitley to contest from
Amritsar, promising him a cakewalk. "They are boasting of getting Jaitley a lead of 5,000 votes in their five segments.They must remember that Navjot Singh Sidhu had led by 51,000 votes in these constituencies in the 2009 Lok Sabha poll." Another senior BJP leader said Jaitley had trailed by more than 3,000 votes in three of the five constituencies held by the SAD and "everyone knows why". Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu said it was the SAD leadership that had assured Jaitley of a victory and must take the blame for his defeat. "Everyone knows that Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia was in charge of Jaitley's election campaign," she said. She said the SAD needed to introspect as it had lost 12 lakh votes in the entire state these Lok Sabha elections. Figures in five Assembly segments say it
all * Jaitley had the highest lead of 20,651 votes in the Majitha Assembly segment, the home turf of Bikram
Majithia * He led by 15,622 votes in the Rajasansi segment where the SAD was defeated in the 2012 Assembly
poll * Jaitley trailed in the Attari segment, represented by Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh
Ranike, by 9,940 votes * In Amritsar South, represented by CPS Inderbir Singh
Bolaria, he trailed by 21,897 votes * In the Ajnala Assembly segment, represented by CPS Amarpal Singh Bony, he trailed by 356 votes
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Education Minister warns shirkers
Chandigarh May 20 Sikandar Singh Maluka, Education Minister, said strict action would be taken against teachers involved with one NGO or the other and remain absent from work. — TNS
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New bus terminal running in losses
Bassi Pathana, May 20 As per information, two buses each of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking, Haryana Roadways and Punjab Roadways enter the bus terminal generating revenue of a few hundred rupees. The PRTC suffers a loss of Rs 15,000 daily as more than 300 buses operating on the route do not enter the bus terminal. At present, Rs 50 is being charged per trip from the bus operators. Ashok Tulani, SAD spokesperson, said private buses stop on the main road causing jams on the busy road. Commuters bear the brunt during rain and added that he had also raised the issue for the past two months but nothing has been done so far. It is pertinent to mention here that Deputy Chief Miniter Sukhbir Singh Badal had inagurated the bus terminal on Febraury 28 this year. Constructed at a cost of Rs 3.15 crore the new terminal has basic facilities like safe drinking water, wash rooms sheds with seating arrangements for the commuters. Mohinder Singh, Station Supervisor of Bassi Pathana Bus Terminal talking to the Tribune said that they had also submitted a letter to the District Transport Officer and senior administrative officers in this regard but nothing has been done till date. He said besides him two bus stand fee collector, security guards and sweepers have been employed by the corporation for its maintenance. District Transport Officer (DTO) Jagdeep Brar said he had received a complaint and would soon visit the terminal to look into the matter. “Action will be taken against the private bus operators for not entering the terminal,” he added. Official apathy *
Only two buses each of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking, Haryana Roadways and Punjab Roadways enter the bus terminal, generating a revenue of a few hundred rupees *
The PRTC suffers a loss of Rs 15,000 daily as more than 300 buses operating on the route do not enter the bus terminal
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PRTC staff block roads
Sangrur, May 20 The two-hour protest caused inconvenience to hundreds of passengers. The PRTC employees demanded arrest of an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and cancellation of a case registered against a PRTC driver and a conductor by the ASI. A member of an action committee of the PRTC employees, Karamjit Singh, said that on January 17, the ASI could not produce a ticket voucher to the conductor when he demanded it from him for traveling from Dhuri to Sangrur. He alleged that the ASI misbehaved with the conductor and the bus driver. The ASI got a “false” case registered against the driver and the conductor in April at Dhuri, Karamjit Singh alleged. He said they would not withdraw the agitation till the police cancelled the case and suspended the ASI. The protesters, however, lifted the dharna when DSP (Rural) Gurpreet Singh Dhindsa fixed their meeting with the SP (Headquarters) on Friday. — TNS
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20 ‘tortured’ youths escape
from de-addiction centre
Moga, May 20 The youths fled to a village gurdwara after breaking down the walls of the centre. The local residents then took them to the district hospital in Moga for a check-up. The doctors admitted four youths, who were suffering from injuries. The district administration has constituted a special committee under the chairmanship of the local Additional Deputy Commissioner to inquire into the incident so that legal action, if any, could be taken accordingly. The drug de-addiction centre is being run by Ujala Foundation in a rented accommodation. Sources said the staff at the centre wasn’t trained and the infrastructure wasn’t up to the mark. Gurvinder Singh, one of the victims undergoing treatment at the hospital, alleged that the authorities at the centre had neither employed a specialist counselor nor a psychologist or a psychiatrist. He further revealed the youths there were regularly beaten up with plastic pipes and baseball bats. Gurvinder’s mother Jaswinder Kaur said she had admitted her son to the centre last month. Another victim Kuldip Singh of Tharaj village alleged they were brutally tortured at the centre. Among the other victims were Sukhpreet Singh of Kot-ise-Khan town, Simarjit Singh and Naginder Singh. The police have booked the 20 youths, who escaped from the centre, on charges of creating ruckus and damaging the centre. Station House Officer (SHO) Jagdish Lal of Charik police station said they had been booked on the complaint of Inderjit Singh, who runs the centre. The youths alleged that some powerful politicians of the ruling SAD-BJP party were protecting the activists of the Ujala Foundation Re-habilitation
Centre. Grim scenario *
The victims alleged the authorities at the centre had neither employed a specialist counselor nor a psychologist or a psychiatrist *
They said they were regularly beaten up with plastic pipes and baseball bats *
They alleged some powerful politicians of the ruling SAD-BJP were protecting the activists of the Ujala Foundation that runs the centre *
Of the escapees, four have been admitted to the district hospital with injuries
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Pak Sikhs approve amended Nanakshahi Calendar: SGPC
Amritsar, May 20 The press release stated the eight-member SGPC delegation led by its president, Avtar Singh Makkar, today paid obeisance at Nankana Sahib. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Makkar said they were visiting Pakistan to hold discussions with the Sikhs about the implementation of Akal Takht’s ‘maryada’. He said while the SGPC was managing the gurdwara affairs, running schools, colleges and hospitals, it was also its responsibility to ensure the implementation of Akal Takht’s ‘maryada’. He said it was the prime duty of every Sikh to follow the directions of Akal Takht. He, however, said some differences had come to the fore with the PSGPC over some ‘gurpurabs’ and they would make the efforts to evolve a consensus during their visit. The release further stated that when Makkar appealed the Sikh Sangat to observe ‘gurpurabs’ as per Akal Takht’s decision, former PSGPC Chief Mastan Singh accepted their approval. Makkar also assured the Sikh Sangat that they would be taken into confidence whenever a decision about the community was taken in future. On the other hand, talking to The Tribune on phone from Pakistan, former PSGPC President Bishen Singh confirmed that the SGPC delegation was yet to hold formal talks with the PSGPC on the Nanakshahi Calendar issue and therefore no decision had been taken as of now. In the past, the SGPC and the PSGPC had been at loggerheads over the issue which is evident from the fact that it was after a gap of two years that an SGPC jatha had last year visited Pakistan to observe martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev on June 12 as per the amended Nanakshahi Calendar. Prior to it, the SGPC had to call off the visit of its jatha to Pakistan in 2011 and 2012 as the Pakistan High Commission had denied visas, contending that the PSGPC was observing the 'gurpurab' on a different date.
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BDS interns drown, parents damage college property
Ferozepur, May 20 The two feared drowned are Amardeep Singh of Raiya village and Sunil Kumar of Nakodar. Sources said a total of five students had gone towards the canal yesterday evening. As soon as the news of the incident spread, the agitated parents reached the campus and allegedly damaged college property. Senior officials, including Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Amar Singh Chahal, and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Manjit Singh Narang reached the campus, but failed to pacify the protesters. Narang then directed Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Amit Kumar to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the matter and submit the report within a week. Dr A S Gill, Principal of GIDSR, refuted all the allegations. Meanwhile, two rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were summoned to carry out the rescue operation. The DC said over 20 divers had been pressed into service to locate the bodies. He also ordered the closure of the institute for the next few days.
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Rajasthan farmers move green panel
Abohar, May 20 Notably, Punjab had not responded to the letters sent by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje in February this year and her predecessor Ashok Gehlot last year on this issue. The petitioners said the Punjab Government had failed to check the discharge of chemical waste from Jalandhar and Ludhiana-based industries in the Sutlej and Beas rivers. Highly hazardous chemicals were allowed to flow through Sirhind Feeder to Indira Gandhi Canal, Rajasthan Feeder, Ferozepur Feeder and Gang (Bikaner) Canal that originates from Harike Barrage in Punjab, they said. The Bhakra canal system feeds Hanumangarh, Sangria and Peelibanga; water released through the 650-km-long Indira Gandhi Canal is also consumed by people in Sriganganagar, Churu, Bikaner, Nagaur, Jodhpur and Barmer districts. The petitioners said the canal water received from Punjab had been graded at "E" level by a high-level research team in 2010, whereas the experts recommend only "A" grade water as fit for human consumption. Fight against water pollution *
They have filed a public interest litigation with the National Green Tribunal seeking a check on the supply of contaminated canal water from Punjab *
The petitioners said the canal water received from Punjab had been graded at "E" level by a high-level research team in 2010, whereas the experts recommend only "A" grade water as fit for human consumption
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State forms panel to ensure compliance of fly ash norms
Chandigarh, May 20 An official spokesman said as per stipulations all coal, lignite-based thermal power stations or expansion units in operation in the state on the date of notification would achieve 100 per cent fly ash utilisation within five years of notification. Similarly, new coal and lignite-based thermal plants commissioned after November 2009 are required to ensure 100 per cent utilisation of fly ash within four years of setting up of plant. The spokesman said it had been observed that agencies involved in the construction of buildings and highways were not utilising fly ash as per stipulations. To ensure the strict compliance of these instructions, the Punjab Government has constituted a state-level committee under the chairmanship of secretary, Science Technology and Environment Department.
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‘Distorted’ photo of dera head triggers violence in
Kotkapura
Faridkot, May 20 Following the incident, dera followers allegedly thrashed one of the accused in the police station. Ranjeet Singh Brar of Kotla Mehar Singh Wala in Moga and Deepak Kumar of Kotkapura were booked last evening for allegedly uploading the distorted photo and hurting the religious sentiments of the dera followers. While Deepak was arrested last evening, the sarpanch of Kotla Mehar Singh Wala village today produced Ranjit Singh before the police. When dera followers learnt about Ranjit’s surrender, they stormed the police station and allegedly thrashed the accused. Even the sarpanch was not spared and his vehicle was damaged too. To escape the fury of the dera followers, Ranjit entered into the DSP office to take refuge, but the dera followers followed him and hurled shoes at him. Davinder Singh, Station House Officer, Kotkapura, said they had arrested one person and filed a case under Section 427 of the IPC against several unknown persons for the violence. Case file *
A 'distorted' photo of Dera Sacha Sauda head was uploaded on a social network site *
Ranjeet Singh Brar of Kotla Mehar Singh Wala in Moga and Deepak Kumar of Kotkapura were booked *
Deepak was arrested on Monday evening while Ranjit Singh surrendered before the police on Tuesday *
Following Ranjit's surrender, several dera followers stormed the police station and allegedly thrashed the accused *
A village sarpanch was also attacked and his vehicle was damaged * Davinder Singh, Station House Officer, Kotkapura, said they had arrested one person and filed a case against several unknown persons for the violence
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Sangrur MP sings, stings Punjabi singers
Bathinda, May 20 With his tongue firmly in cheek, the stand-up comedian-turned politician, Mann has targeted popular singers such as Jazzy B, Harbhajan Mann and Diljit Dosanjh for singing paeans of praise of the alliance and the
Badals. At the beginning of the song, Mann expresses his displeasure with the artistes. The MP says that he worked hard to awaken voters against the “wrong policies” of the government, while other singers forgot their social responsibility towards their audience and went ahead in praising the state government. Targeting Jazzy B, Mann wondered which category of Jats he was talking about when he sang ‘Jat maujan karda
ae’. Jats in the state are reeling under poverty, but the singer is unaware of their plight, Mann says in the song. Another popular singer, Harbhajan Mann, also came under fire for his song “Gallan goriyaan de vich
toye”. In his song, the MP questions the singer why he can’t see the potholed roads across the state if he can see the dimples on the cheeks of his beloved. Harbhajan had also sung the song, “Kade kade rabb paida karda Badal jehe
insaan”. The Sangrur MP wondered why Diljit Dosanjh, who claims to be a fan of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in “Main fan Bhagat Singh
da”, was afraid of the Badal family and sang praises of them.
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3 months on, robbery case unsolved
Patiala, May 20 The police claimed to have rounded up some suspects a couple of days after the incident, but they are yet to crack the case. On February 1, three armed men wearing turbans asked the bank staff, who were loading an ATM with cash, to hand over money. When the guard resisted, one of miscreants opened fire, killing him on the spot and injuring the cashier. The injured were identified as Randhir Singh, bank guard; and Anurag Tiwari, cashier. The robbers fled the scene on a motorcycle leaving the two in a pool of blood. The police had registered a case under sections of robbery, murder and attempt to murder against the unidentified persons. “We have zeroed in on certain youths who could be involved in the robbery,” said SP Jaskiran
Teja.
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Four die in mishaps
Abohar, May 20 In another incident, the Sriganganagar police said divers were searching for Sagar Balmiki (22), who slipped into the seasonal sub-canal this morning. Mohammad Umar (32) of Mujaffarnagar died after he slipped from a train on the Abohar-Sriganganagar section. A four-year-old boy, Karan of Sriganganagar, was run over by a truck. — OC |
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Punjabi youth shot dead in Philippines
Jalandhar May 20 His family members said Ranjit ran a moneylending business. Sources said the attackers were of Indian origin and shot Ranjit several times. He died on the spot. Ranjit is survived by his wife and two children, who also lived in the Philippines. Amrik Singh, the brother of the deceased, said Ranjit had moved to the Philippines about seven years ago.
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SC slams Punjab for paying pension to ineligible person
New Delhi, May 20 A trial court in Amritsar had passed a decree granting pension to Charanjit Lal, who had retired from the agency, a society registered under the Societies Registration Act: 1860 and was not a government agency or department. Lal had named the society as the defendant in his suit. The trial court had decreed the suit in his favour on the basis of a statement by a society office- bearer that state government employees were being deputed with the society. “Here is a suit which was decreed on the admission of the defendant against whom no relief was prayed for and without impleading the necessary party. We are equally amazed to find that the State of Punjab implemented the judgment. It leaves much to be desired,” a Bench comprising Justices BS Chauhan and AK Sikri said in a verdict delivered on May 16. Case file *
Charanjit Lal had retired from the Fish Farmers Development Agency, Amritsar, in the 1990s *
A trial court in Amritsar had passed a decree granting pension to him *
The agency was a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and was not a government agency or department *
The SC ruled the judgment and decree in the case of Charanjit seemed to be collusive and in a suit which itself was not maintainable
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Accused denied anticipatory bail
Patiala, May 20 Kartar Singh and his brother Shamsher of Jalalabad village were allegedly beaten up by Akali supporters on the day of polling. They were admitted to Government Rajindra Hospital. Kartar was rushed to the PGIMER, Chandigarh, after his condition deteriorated. Shamsher suffered four fractures on his face and Kartar sustained a skull fracture. While their kin have been running from pillar to post to get the relevant sections added to the FIR, the police are reportedly reluctant to do so allegedly due to political pressure. Justice Kuldip Singh said the accused’s counsel had contended that they had been falsely implicated in the case due to some dispute with the complainants, but they had failed to prove their argument. The counsel for the complainants stated that the police had not put forth facts before the court and not included Section 307 of the IPC on the basis of victims’ medical reports. The judgment read: “In view of the gravity of the offence, the benefit of anticipatory bail cannot be granted to the applicant/accused as their custodial interrogation is required for proper investigation in the case.” Nirmal Singh, Additional SHO, Jhulkan police station, the police had sought legal opinion from the district attorney on adding relevant sections to the FIR, but they were yet to get a reply. Party demands repoll in Bathinda Bathinda: The Aam Aadmi Party candidate from Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, Jasraj Singh Longia, who came third in the final tally, has demanded a repoll for the seat citing several instances of rigging and booth capturing. In a representation sent to the Election Commission and the State Election Commissioner, he alleged that government officials and the police ignored the violation of code of conduct and there were no security forces on the roads on the polling day. He alleged most of the security check-points in the constituency were removed which had allowed liquor and money to be moved all over the villages in the constituency.
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Ensure legal auction of mines: High Court to state
Chandigarh, May 20 The directions came amid claims by the Punjab Government of registering no less than 2,000 FIRs in cases regarding illegal mining in the state. As the case came up for resumed hearing this morning, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli asked Punjab Advocate-General and the petitioner’s counsel to put their heads together for coming out with a solution for ensuring legal auction of mines at reasonable prices. Appearing before the Bench, Advocate-General Ashok Aggarwal doled out the number of FIRs against the defaulters for alleged involvement in illegal mining. He also sought additional time for filing a detailed report in the matter, citing compilation of data as the reason. “There is a long chain of offices such as police stations in districts, tehsils and blocks where the FIRs have registered. More time is required to receive the information in a compiled format,” he claimed. Responding to the statement, petitioner’s counsel RS Bains asserted: “Nobody is asking about the number of FIRs registered. For, the petitioner’s grievances hang around persons controlling the menace.” The state government has done nothing to control the illegal mining in past one year,” he alleged. He further alleged the state government had failed to carryout auction for legal mining for about a decade. Calling for suggestions from the petitioner’s counsel, the Bench observed: “The Advocate-General of Punjab and petitioner’s counsel should sit together to find a way out whether legal mining is permissible. Also, the cost of the materials needed to be examined as per legal norms. It will help prevent the mining and to make it financially permissible to the users.” The High Court, on a previous date of hearing, had taken a serious view of apparent indifferent attitude adopted by the SIT constitute by the Punjab Government to look into illegal mining in the state. The High Court had also asked the state counsel to seek instructions and specify the governments stand on the issue.
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Court grants bail to accused in
drug case
Chandigarh, May 20 The rap by Justice Tejinder Singh Dhindsa came on a petition filed by an accused, Hargobind Singh. He was seeking regular bail in an FIR registered with the Special Operation Cell, Amritsar, on August 14, 2013, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Justice Dhindsa asserted: ''The trial court granted the extension of 30 days by merely reproducing bald averments made at the hands of the prosecution... “This court would have no hesitation in observing that the order dated February 11 passed by the trial court granting extension of 30 days for completion of investigation was done in a routine and mechanical fashion”. Referring to Section 167 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Justice Dhindsa asserted that the maximum period beyond which a person could not be detained while investigation was underway varied between 60-90 days, keeping in view the gravity of the offence. If the investigation remained inconclusive within this period, the accused was entitled to bail under Section 167(2), if he applied for the same. But under the NDPS Act, the maximum period of 90 days has been increased to 180 days for several categories of offences and the period of detention could go up to a year, subject to compliance of stringent conditions. In the case in hand, the investigation could not be completed within the stipulated 180 days. Amritsar Additional Sessions Judge then allowed the application and granted an extension of 30 days for completion of investigation. Granting bail to the accused, Justice Dhindsa asserted: “Though the final report was submitted by the police on March 6, the same would not defeat the accrued right of the petitioner inasmuch as he had already moved an application under Section 167(2) of the Code prior to that.”
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Disability pension can’t be denied for want of reasons: HC
Chandigarh, May 20 The landmark judgment is likely to come as a relief to disabled soldiers struggling against the orders of dismissal of their disability pension by the government and then by the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT). The Bench, comprising Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice Fateh Deep Singh, held that claims for disability pension cannot be dismissed on the grounds of delay or limitation. In cases where there has been an inordinate delay in approaching the court, the arrears of pension can be restricted to three years prior to filing the petition. The court has held that legitimate rights of armed forces personnel cannot be defeated on the grounds of delay in cases of pension. The High Court has also endorsed powers of judicial review over medical boards, which may have categorised disabilities as “neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service”. The petition filed by a disabled soldier, Umed Singh, was directed towards the order of the AFT, in which it was held that disability pension was not admissible to the soldier since the medical board had declared the disability “neither attributable to nor aggravated by service”. The High Court, however, after discussing all rules applicable to disability pensioners and the law laid down by the Supreme Court in this regard, set aside the AFT’s order. Judicial review must The court has held that legitimate rights of armed forces personnel cannot be defeated on the grounds of delay in cases of pension. The HC has endorsed powers of judicial review over medical boards, which may have categorised disabilities as “neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service”.
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Anil Joshi gets exemption from court appearance
Amritsar, May 20 Complainants Sandeep Gorsi and Vaneet Mahajan have been directed to furnish a legal aid cost of Rs 10,000 for their inability to file a reply on Joshi’s earlier application seeking permanent exemption from appearing in the court. Amidst heavy police force, Joshi appeared in the court of , Judicial Magistrate PS Ghotra this morning. Joshi had sought permanent exemption from personal appearance on the plea that he was a minister and had to leave the city often. Moreover, heavy police security was pressed into service for his security every time he had to appear in the court. This caused the public inconvenience, it was
pleaded. Gorsi and Mahajan had filed two defamation cases against Joshi who had allegedly called them “blackmailers” after they lodged a complaint against him and his family members with the Election Commission for dual votes in Amritsar and Tarn
Taran. Another case was filed against Joshi for trespass. Irked over Joshi’s repeated absence from court hearings, the court had issued
non-bailable warrants against him while declining his exemption application in the three cases. He was granted bail on the assurance that he would appear in the court on May 20. Temporary relief *
Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi has been exempted from personal appearance for the next three dates in a trespass and two defamation cases *
Joshi had sought permanent exemption on the plea that he was a minister and had to leave the city often *
Amritsar lawyers Sandeep Gorsi and Vaneet Mahajan had filed two defamation cases against Joshi for calling them ‘blackmailers’
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HC no to riot victim's plea for enhanced compensation
New Delhi, May 20 A Division Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice RS Endlaw rejected the plea filed by Megh Singh, saying he had been unable to substantiate his claim that he had received a compensation of Rs 2,000 by cheque from the Delhi Government as a riot victim. "The most vital thing for the appellant to have proved was receiving compensation as a victim of the riots. Though the appellant claims to have received Rs 2,000 by cheque, he has been unable to prove the same. We have perused the documents filed by the appellant... The said medical certificate nowhere advances the case of the appellant, of his wife having suffered grievous injury in the riots. There is also no document to show loss of any property of the appellant," the court said. A single-judge Bench of Justice Manmohan on January 29 had dismissed Megh Singh's plea for compensation, saying he was unable to produce any documents to support his claim. Megh Singh said he ran a a coal depot which was burnt by the rioters and his wife was seriously injured in the attack.
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Man held for raping minor
Abohar, May 20 The police said he had confessed to having raped a four-year-old girl of Bihari Basti in 2012. The victim was found in shrubs later. The incident had triggered strong protests in the border region. The police had announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for giving leads in the case. — OC
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As many as 20 youths escaped from a private de-addiction centre at Charik village in Moga district today. They were allegedly kept in illegally confinement and were physically and mentally tortured by staff members.
The SGPC today claimed that the Sikh Sangat in Pakistan had accepted the supremacy of Akal Takht and would now observe ‘gurpurabs’ as per the amended Nanakshahi Calendar. However, former PSGPC President Bishen Singh said the PSGPC was yet to officially take any decision in this regard.
Protesting parents of the two BDS interns, who reportedly drowned in the Ferozepur feeder canal late last evening, blocked the Ferozepur-Moga GT Road today. They accused the Genesis Institute of Dental Sciences and Research
(GIDSR) management of negligence and demanded that a criminal case be registered against the erring officials.
The newly elected Sangur MP, Aam Aadmi Party’s Bhagwant Mann, has released a song taking a dig at those Punjabi singers who had sung songs eulogising the
SAD-BJP government. With his tongue firmly in cheek, the stand-up comedian-turned politician, Mann has targeted popular singers such as Jazzy B, Harbhajan Mann and Diljit Dosanjh for singing paeans of praise of the alliance and the
Badals.
Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi got a temporary relief from a local court which exempted him from personally appearing in two cases of defamation and the third pertaining to trespass for the next three dates. The next date of hearing is June 11.