EDUCATION

Prem Singh nominated to HP cultural body
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 4
Eminent artist and former Principal of Government College of Art, Sector 10, Prof Prem Singh, has been nominated on the General Council of Himachal Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages, Shimla. The nomination has been made through a notification of the Himachal Pradesh Government. The information was received here today through Mr Jagdish Sharma, Secretary, the Himachal Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages (HAACL), the apex body of the state promoting art, music, drama, dance and literature.

Prem Singh has 25 solo exhibition to his credit. He is also a recipient of the most prestigious Triennale India International Award. He has visited the UK under the Shropshire Punjab Artist Exchange programme, has delivered art lectures and conducted painting workshops for British schoolpupils.

He has also served as a member of various national and state art bodies to adjudicate works of art. From 1983 to 1996 he was on the General Council of the National Academy of Art (Lalit Kala Academy), New Delhi. Some of the many important art shows in which he has participated are Contemporary Indian Art exhibition, Cuba and Mexico, Fourth Asian Art Biennale, Dhaka, Hundred years of Modern Art, India, SAARC Painters Exhibition.

He has also participated in workshops conducted by distinguished American artist and printmaker Carol Summers and well-known British graphic designers Bob Linney and Ken Meharg.

Painting competition
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 4
In an attempt to popularise the concept of aviation among school children , the Aeronautical Society of India, organised a painting competition at Sanjay Public School in Sector 44 here today.

About 156 students from 17 schools in the city showed their creative talent with water colours and crayons on themes like “Aircraft in the sky”, “Children fair”, “Helicopters”, “Happy moments”, “Aircraft on the ground” and “ Helping Senior Citizens.”

The competition was divided in to the sub- junior, junior and senior categories. A similar competition by the Society was also held at Satluj Public School in Sector 4, Panchkula, today, where about 82 students from 10 different schools took part.A caption contest for teachers of the participating schools was also organised on this occasion.

The winners of today’s competition would be given the prize money in a function scheduled on May 15.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Summons to Centre on vehicles’ life-span
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 4
Directing the Under-Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to be present in court with the record in the traffic regulation and pollution control case, Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked him to explain the reason behind Union of India’s failure to take effective steps on the request for fixing the life-span of vehicles.

Mr Justice Kumar also fixed July 6 as the next date of hearing in the case.

Earlier during the proceedings, counsel for the state of Punjab stated that the life-span of vehicles could be fixed only by the Central Government under the Motor Vehicles Act. He added that the state had already written to the Centre but a reply had not been received.

The High Court, on the last date of hearing, had taken a serious view of the fact that four-wheelers that were not road-worthy were plying in the region. Mr Justice Kumar had observed: “A strange phenomenon has been brought to the notice of the court. It is stated that four wheelers, declared unworthy for roads in the National Capital in furtherance to the Supreme Court orders, are now being brought to Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana and are being plied there for carrying school children as well as other passengers”.

The Judge had added: “The Supreme Court has fixed 15 years as the life-span of road-worthy vehicles and thereafter such vehicles are required to be taken off the roads. In these circumstances, it is an indirect attempt on part of the vehicle owners to frustrate the orders of the Supreme Court by bringing condemned vehicles into the jurisdiction of the court”.

MLA’s objections in poll plea rejected

Rejecting the objections raised by the MLA from the Hathin Assembly constituency and other respondents in an election petition filed against them, Mr Justice R.L. Anand of the High Court today fixed May 24 as the next date of hearing for recording the petitioner’s evidence.

The objections pertained to the filing of an affidavit by the petitioner, Mr Harsh Kumar, and whether the petition disclosed any cause of action or not.

In his petition, Mr Harsh Kumar (HVP), had earlier alleged that the returned candidate, Bhagwan Sahai Rawat of Indian National Lok Dal, had offered jobs in lieu of votes during public meetings.

He had even asked unemployed youths to hand over a copy of their bio-data to him, the petitioner had alleged. The promises, he had added, were made when the model code of conduct was in force.

Going into the background, the petitioner had stated that the elections to the Vidhan Sabha were notified on January 10 last year and the votes were counted on February 25.

Sampat case: plea for transfer rejected

Mr Justice S.S. Nijjar of the High Court today dismissed a petition filed by Haryana Chief Minister O.P. Chautala’s brother, Mr Partap Singh seeking directions for transferring a corruption case registered against Finance Minister Sampat Singh to a court outside the state. After hearing the arguments, Mr Justice Nijjar observed: “I have heard counsel for the parties. I find no ground for transferring the matter. The petition is dismissed”.

Claiming to be the complainant in the case against the minister, the petitioner had earlier stated that the first information report was registered under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Civil Lines Police Station in Hisar in January 1993.

The allegations, according to the petitioner, were that Mr Sampat Singh had acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The challan in the case was presented in March 1996 and charges framed in October 1997.

Describing Mr Sampat Singh as a close associate of the Chief Minister, Mr Partap Singh had stated that the accused had tremendous influence in the state, particularly in Hisar, his native district.

The Finance Minister, the petitioner had added, openly claimed that he would get the results in his favour. Mr Partap Singh had also stated that an application for transferring the case was filed earlier also but was dismissed last July.

MADHAN TRIAL
Medical specialist deposes
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 4
The medical specialist who had examined Maj V.K. Madhan at the Field Surgical Centre (FSC) today stated before the general court martial that his examination on June 4, 1999, revealed that movement in the accused’s left knee was partially restricted because of pain.

The doctor, Col A. Kayastha, added that he did not think that the accused could have climbed a gradient without difficulty and, therefore, he was advised rest for three days. He was replying to questions by the court after his cross-examination and re-examination had concluded.

On being asked about the effects on the person suffering from an “IDK injury”, he replied that such a person would have difficulty in ascending or descending a slope. He added that he would also experience difficulty while performing military duties or playing. On the effects of an “ACL tear” on an individual’s mobility, Colonel Kayastha stated that while it would be difficult to climb mountains, it would be even more difficult to come down a slope.

The witness also stated that on June 27 he was required to give a confidential opinion to the accused’s Commanding Officer and hence he did not apprise the accused of the condition of his knee. He also stated that after the examination on June 27, he was of the opinion that the accused’s left knee could undertake the physical stress of operational tasks.

Earlier, the defence counsel declined to tender an apology for his conduct, as directed by the court. While the accused was apologetic for the counsel’s “rude” behaviour, the court decided to refer the matter to the convening authority for the purpose of initiating contempt proceedings.

The defence counsel also submitted that deliberations and discussions by members in closed court were being published in a local newspaper, which amounted to “key-hole” journalism as well as interference in the court proceedings, which could prejudice justice.

Air Gun factory case: partners’ arrest stayed
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, May 4
In a significant development related to the case of unearthing of an alleged unlicensed arms manufacturing unit, arrest of the two partners of the unit, Hesbee Air Gun factory in Industrial Area here, who had been booked by the police was today stayed by the Session Judge, Ropar. The arrest has been stayed till May 11.

The stay was granted after the owners of the factory moved an application for grant of anticipatory bail in the court. They pleaded that they were running two other units manufacturing air guns as well as short guns in the name of Hesbee Machine tools, Chandigarh and Hesbee and Co Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. They prayed that some of the raw materials for manufacturing of air guns were lying in the factory premises, but they had not been manufacturing any guns for the past many years there.

They said that they had been manufacturing air guns and short guns in their factory at Chandigarh and Mandi against valid licence. Stating that no licence was required to keep the air guns, they said they were respectable persons and were running their business for the last 50 years.

Meanwhile, police teams raided places at Parwanoo and Mandi to arrest the suspects but returned empty-handed. The police was verifying the papers of the consignment which was to be sent to Mandi before the factory premises was raided. Sources in police said when the licence of the manufacturing air guns expired in 1989, terrorism was at its peak and separatists used to visit the premises for fire arms.

DISTRICT COURTS
Witnesses turn hostile, accused acquitted
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 4
The UT Additional Sessions Judge, today acquitted, Manish Kunj, in a case under the NDPS Act. It was stated in the complaint that the accused was arrested by the CIA staff of the city police in Sector 25 on May 20, 1997 who had recovered 200gm of charas from his possession.

The accused was acquitted for lack of evidence as the witnesses in the case turned hostile.

The UT Additional Sessions Judge today granted bail to Sushil Kumar, Raj Pal and Bhupinder in a case of criminal intimidation. The case against the three was registered under Sections 323, 452, 506 and 120 of the IPC.

The complainant, Mr Such Singh, employee of the Municipal Corporation, had alleged that the three accused had assaulted him. The three were granted bail on furnishing a bond of Rs 10,000 each.

Bail granted:
The UT Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, today granted bail to Karam Singh, in a case of cheating. The case against the accused was registered under Sections 420, 120-B of the IPC.

The accused was granted bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs 25,000.

Club membership:
The UT Judicial Magistrate (First Class), has issued a notice to the President of the Chandigarh Golf Club for June 17, on the criminal complaint filed by the plaintiff, Mr Vivek Bhandari.

The complainant had stated that the club had unrightfully cancelled his membership, despite the fact that he had submitted all the dues of the club.

Meeting for allotment of vacant slots
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 4
A meeting was held between the UT Additional Sessions Judge, UT Sub-divisional Magistrate, and members of the District Bar Association to decide allotment of the vacant slots in the court here today.

The President of the District Bar Association, Mr H.S. Hundal, said that the meeting was held at 4 p.m. in the court and the committee comprising the UT Additional Sessions Judge, Mr Lakhbir Singh, the UT Sub-divisional Magistrate, Mr Prithi Chand, the two representatives of the Bar Association had decided to prepare a fresh list for the allotment of the 35 slots vacant in the court.