COURTS

HIGH COURT
Notice on CBI’s plea to quash Bibi’s bail
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 5
Mr Justice S.S. Nijjar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice of motion for April 23 on a petition by the Central Bureau of Investigation seeking directions for quashing the orders passed by Patiala’s Special Magistrate directing former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur’s release on bail with instructions to move the trial court for regular bail, and subsequent recall of the same.

The petition was initially placed before Mr Justice K.S. Kumaran of the High Court. After going through it, he observed that the petition should be placed before Mr Jutice Nijjar as the impugned order was based on a previous order passed by him. “That order may require interpretation and therefore it is only proper that this petition may be placed before the same Bench,” Mr Justice Kumaran added.

In the petition, CBI counsel, Mr R.K. Handa, had earlier stated that the Special Judge had on February 13 formed an opinion that time should be given to Bibi for seeking regular bail from the trial court as the period for which anticipatory bail was granted had not been specified. The magistrate released her on bail with direction to move the trial court for regular bail on the next date.

He had added that subsequently on March 12, the order was recalled after an application was moved by Bibi claiming that the bail granted to her was absolute and final, not for a specific period, and as such the direction to get regular bail was contrary to the law.

Fresh poll to civic posts ordered

Quashing the elections of Ms. Kelo Devi and Mr Maha Singh as the president and vice-president of Fatehabad Zila Parishad, a Division Bench of the High Court today directed the state of Haryana and other respondents to hold the elections in accordance with the law within a month of receiving a copy of the order.

Challenging the elections, candidate for the vice-president’s post Dura Ram of Mohammadpur Rohi in Fatehabad district had earlier contended that the process of electing the two was completed in his and his supporters’ absence after their request for holding the poll by secret ballot was turned down and they were directed to leave the room.

Arguing before the court, counsel for the petitioner had added that earlier also the meeting for electing the civic body officials was adjourned to accommodate the ruling party candidate as he was not having a majority of members with him that day.

The Bench, comprising Mr Justice Amar Bir Singh Gill and Mr Justice V.S. Aggarwal observed: “The Presiding Officer, in view of the mandatory provisions for holding elections by secret ballot, acted beyond his jurisdiction in rejecting the objection raised by the petitioner and four other members.”

The Judges added: “The meeting thereafter and the election by the show of hands became inconsequential in view of the mandatory rule 39 of the Panchayati Raj Election Rules.

Dangi case hearing on April 24

Mr Justice Amar Dutt of the High Court today fixed April 24 for arguments on a petition filed by Haryana’s former Revenue Minister Anand Singh Dangi seeking bail in a cheating and a forgery case.

At the very onset, the Superintendent of Rohtak Jail produced photocopies of the record pertaining to Dangi’s admission in jail. As per the record, Dangi was in custody of the jail authorities in FIR No 14 registered in June last year.

Arguing before the Judge, Haryana’s Advocate General, Mr Surya Kant, stated that the petitioner was arrested on March 22 in pursuance of orders passed by the Rohtak Special Judge. On the other hand, counsel for the petitioner Mr V.S. Rathora asserted that Dangi was arrested on December 18 last year.

Claiming to have been arrested on December 18 last year, Dangi had earlier contended that he was liable to be released on bail as the challan had not been presented even though he had completed 90 days in judicial custody.

Quoting the rules, counsel for the petitioner had contended on his behalf that it was mandatory for the court to release the accused on bail in case the challan was not submitted within the stipulated period of 90 days.

He had added that Dangi had applied for bail before the Ambala Sessions Judge on March 19 and notice was issued for March 24 but the case was adjourned to April 10.

DISTRICT COURT
Chandigarh Club directed to declare result
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, April 5
The UT Additional Sessions Judge, Mr R.C Godara, has directed the Chandigarh Club that the result of the election of the office bearer held on March 3 should be declared immediately after the counting of the all votes.

The UT Additional Judge had allowed a plea moved by Mr Puneet Bansal and others on April 3. The complainant, Mr Puneet Bansal and others had filed appeal against the directions issued by the UT Civil Judge (Junior Division) regarding the stay of Chandigarh Club election.

It may recalled that on march 2, the UT Civil Judge (Junior Division), Mr Mahinder Singh, had issued directions to the returning officer of the Chandigarh Club, that counting of the Chandigarh Club votes and result is stayed till the final decision of the case and for arranging separate ballot boxes for 415 newly enrolled members of the Chandigarh Club for polling votes. The Magistrate also directed that the management of the Club will work as usual, except the new enrolled members.

One acquitted

The UT Additional Sessions Judge, acquitted, Satnam Singh, a resident of Ropar, under NDPS Act. It was alleged that the police had recovered 2.7 gm Opium on October 6, 2000. 

‘Take garments back’
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, April 5
The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has allowed the complaint moved by a city resident and directed the RP Traders to refund a sum of Rs 2,400 to him along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from October 10, 2000, till the date of payment, and take back the garments from him.

The complainant, Mr Rajeev Singal, had filed a complaint that he went to the premises of Hotel Shivalikview on October 10, 2000, and purchased three shirts and three trousers from the respondent which were alleged to be of Arrow make.

Subsequently, the complaint read a caution notice in The Tribune on October 11, 2000, which stated that the garments under the Arrow trademark were marketed only by Arvind Clothing Limited, Arvind Mills Premises, Railwaypura Post, Naroda Road, Ahmedabad.

The notice further told the public that they should not be misled by discount sale of shirts and other garments, being done by opposite party at various places, including the hotel. The complainant stated that the opposite party, being guilty of unfair trade practice, be directed to refund the cost of the garments i.e. Rs 2,400, along with interest and cost.

The bench, comprising Mr R.P. Bajaj and Mr H.S. Walia, observed that the evidence proved that the opposite party was guilty of unfair trade practice and the opposite party was not the manufacturer or dealer of the garments. They allow the complaint with cost of Rs 550 and directed the opposite party to refund the amount.

CULTURE

Punjabi culture declining: Bhagwant
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, April 5
Punjabi culture is dying in villages with the onslaught of urbanisation and even the old and familiar things like the charkha, lassi and the swing on the pipal tree are vanishing.

Stating this at a press conference here today, Bhagwant Mann, satirist and comedian, said he felt pained at the changing scene in the rural areas and has tried to present the true picture with a sting in his new cassette, “Dam Lai Lo”, released last week. The cassette, by T series, contains eight songs written and sung by Mann.

The songs include “Dam Lai Lo”, “Charkha”, Hooter”, “Raunak Punjab Wargi”, “Gavaiye” “Boliyan” and “Pindaan Vich”.

Mann said nowadays one does not see women on swings under pipal trees in villages. This had been replaced by the TV. Besides, 70 per cent of the women must have used their “charkhas” as firewood while the rest must have dumped theirs in a corner of some store full of cobwebs.

Mann said his songs did not have a purely commercial angle. Most of the so-called singers had turned women into commercial commodities by presenting them in their videos. They concentrated only on dancing, singing and love. “Aj kal ghar ghar jaman gavaiye”, he said.

Mann said he was highly impressed by Pakistan comadians like Amanullah and Shauki Khan. He said a comedy TV serial was under preparation which would be shown on either Zee or Sony.

Punjab to promote patriotic plays
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 5
The Punjab Department of Cultural Affairs today assured the National Theatre Arts Society of all help with regard to the promotion of plays which are based on secular themes. Giving this assurance to Mr Pran Sabarwal, Director, NATS, The Director of the Cultural Affairs Department, Punjab, said ,”The Punjab government will patronise Punjabi theatre movement, especially plays which have patriotic themes. The focus will be on the promotion of amity and nationalism.”

This promise was made when Mr Sabarwal went to the Director in order to inform him about the success of the musical play Shaheed-e-azam Bhagat Singh in Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Sangrur. Mr Sabarwal urged the government and non-government organisations to enhance drama sponsorship fee to bring the same at part with those of the Haryana department of Cultural Affairs, the Punjabi Akademi, Delhi, the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi, and the National School of Drama.

Different strokes on view
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, April 5
“Different Strokes”, as the name suggests, was an exhibition of paintings and photographs highlighting different techniques of young artists who exhibited their work at a makeshift gallery at the office of GA Advertisers in Sector 38 here today.

The exhibition that featured about 25 works by a group of nine ex- students of Government College of Arts reflected a host of emotions of the young minds ranging from the unfortunate disaster of Gujarat to the naked truth of human desire.

Rajesh Kalsi expressed the basic nature of man-woman relationships and also man’s dominion over woman in “Naked truth” and “ Desire to catch” by engaging a simple technique of etching and aquatint.” Searching for Saint” is another work by the artist in etching where the artist has shown his quest for true knowledge.

A tribute to the Kargil heroes were paid by Vinay Mallik in mixed media. His another painting “ Gujarat Disaster” portraying the earthquake tragedy conveyed the message that mankind is still at nature’s mercy despite being technologically superior.

Aditya Pandit in his abstract “Weight” showed the work pressure on today’s couple to reach the height.

Sanjeev Kumar painted the contradictions of different religions by spraying colours on Burkha clad women in his oil painting on jute called “Holi”. Rajnish Sharma tried to capture the essence of Indian traditions with his series of folk paintings in bright colours.

Among other exhibits , Ajay Yashpal’s “landscape” and “ Prayer to Shiv” in water colour were nice soothing pieces of work. The show was inaugurated by Mr Madan Lal, Secratary of Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi here today.