New Delhi, January 11
The Delhi High Court today stayed criminal proceedings against six Apollo Hospital doctors and five others in the Rahul Mahajan drug abuse case till further orders.

Ms Justice Reva Khetrapal, staying the lower court proceedings against the doctors, asked the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) not to proceed with the case till further orders of the high court.

Eleven Apollo staffers, including six doctors, who were charged with misleading the investigation and tampering with the evidence, submitted the ACMM did not have any jurisdiction to direct the Delhi police to register a case against them.

Seeking quashing of the FIR, they informed the ACMM had issued summons against them, which were fixed for tomorrow.

Ms Justice Khetrapal asked the ACMM to fix a new date.

Rahul Mahajan, son of the late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, was admitted to the hospital on June 1 last year following alleged drug consumption. It was alleged the doctors at the hospital had misled the investigation and fabricated the report relating to his treatment, which was sought by the police.

New Delhi, January 11
Eminent Indian scientist, Dr Pushpa Khanna, who has developed an effective treatment for diabetes, has been selected a VIP Member by The Sovereign Order of the Knight of Justice at the city of London, Great Britain, and recognised as Lady Pushpa, DOJ (Dame of Justice), for her services towards humanity.

Dr Pushpa Khanna is one of the 1,000 members of the Knight and Dame of Justice and first ever Indian woman scientist, who has been knighted for her great service to peace and the human cause.

Dr Khanna has also been honoured by the American Biographical Institute, USA, and International Biographical Centre at Cambridge, England. She has been described as “The Genius Elite” for remarkable achievements in the field of plant physiology and biochemistry and “Leading Intellectual of the World” for the year 2004. Dr Khanna has also been awarded United Culture Convention Award 2001.

Dr Khanna is the recipient of many awards and honours for her scientific work. She was elected International Woman of the Year 1997-98 in recognition of her services to suffering humanity. She was also appointed Director-General for Asia by the International Biographical Centre and Member of the Research Council as well as recognised as one of the top 100 scientists by the centre.

Dr Khanna developed an anti-diabetic drug, which, when administered to patients suffering from diabetes, showed blood sugar lowering effect. The drug is being exported to Malaysia and Japan. After the MOU, the technology has been given

to China and the patent rights have yet to be assigned after complete fulfilment of the MOU. It has been selling since 2001. The product is being sold on the Internet as a health product. The drug has been patented through PCT in China, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, the USA, South Africa and India. In addition, Dr Khanna has extracted oil from the seeds, which is anti-inflammatory, anti-wound, anti-gangrene and a vasculodilator. This has been patented in the USA, China, Korea, India and South Africa.

Faridabad, January 11
Line loss and illegal connections (Kundi connections) seems to be a cause of concern for both the power department and consumers paying bills regularly, but still the problem was yet to be tackled properly.

While the Vigilance Cell of the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) has announced to eliminate all the ‘Kundi’ connections in the state within six months, this claim has not found favour even among the employees’ body of the department, which claimed that the incidents of power theft could not be contained till the power rates were brought down in the state.

There are a total of over 38 lakh connections in the state.

Issuing an appeal to help the department in controlling power theft through various means, the IG-Vigilance of the HVPN, Mr L.R. Dabas, said here today that the Nigam was committed to stop pilferage of power through ‘kundi’ connections.

Addressing a meeting of officials of the department, he claimed that all illegal connections in the state would be disconnected within six months, irrespective of rural or urban feeders and no ‘kundi’ connection would be visible in the state after some months. He said all techniques would be used to stop power theft and consumers would not only be motivated to give up illegal means but also would be made aware of the misuse of electricity.

He said all those who give information about power theft would be rewarded and their identity would not be disclosed.

However, experts believe that the problem of line loss and power theft had been acute and it could not be contained with just a campaign of conducting raids and prosecuting them with the cases of power thefts.

On condition of anonymity, an employee of the department here claimed that there had been thousands of ‘kundi’ connections in each district and involvement of officials could not be ruled out.

He said that there were several colonies in city like Faridabad, besides villages, where the problem of power theft and pilferage was serious and all attempts to replace free power with metered one had fizzled out in the past.

It is claimed that a huge amount goes to pockets of officials and employees through power theft racket in several areas.

It is reported that on an average line loss was over 40 per cent and the project of taking out meters from houses and putting them in steel boxes outside in certain areas was yet to meet the desired success amidst protests by consumers.

This issue could also take political colour if the residents come out on roads alleging harassment, said a local activist of a political party here.

According to Mr Devender Hooda, President of All Haryana Power Corporation Workers’ Union, the main body of the employees of the department, any scheme of the government to check pilferage or problems in the supply would succeed in meeting the desired results only when staff of the department are involved in it.

Alleging that the policy of outsourcing in the department was the main factor that was causing a rise in power theft cases, he said that there had been ‘open auction’ of stealing methods by private persons, who had been hired by the government to do various jobs. He said the government should bring down rates of power in order to check the problem. 

New Delhi, January 11
In an effort to empower Muslim women, the international multilateral organisation, Action Aid, inaugurated a convention and launched the ‘Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan’ here on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion journalist, Ms Seema Mustafa, stressed upon the need for amendment in the Muslim Personal Law so as to ensure an equal space to women in the community. She added, “The reform requires a push from the community.”

The Sachar Committee Report indicates that Muslims are the largest minority community in India constituting oddly 13.4 per cent of the population. The community is subjected to a poor human development index, widespread illiteracy, low income, and irregular employment- implying thereby a high incidence of poverty. Women of the community are the worst hit bearing not only the burden of patriarchy but also subjugated to the personal law for ages.

Action Aid has initiated a process in different states where women from the grassroot level and NGOs have been discussing the need for women to monitor all the issues concerning their lives. It has stressed on increasing educational levels, providing livelihood, security and proper justice to Muslim women across the diaspora.

“The Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan aims at acting as a voice for Muslim women and demand social, economic, political, civil, legal and religious rights for the realisation of equal citizenship,” observed Ms Zakia Jowhar of Action Aid.

The convention centered on the crisis of leadership in the community. There are no satisfactory answers to who represents the community and takes responsibility for them. The speakers observed that besides the government, community leaders should also pay heed to the socio-economic backwardness of the community and take steps to ameliorate the condition.

New Delhi, January 11
Former Leader of the Congress Party in Delhi Municipal Corporation and Former Member of the Metropolitan Council of Delhi, and after having served Delhiites and Pradesh Congress Committee in various capacities, Mr Ram Lal passed away today due to cardiac arrest.

He was 94 years old and has left behind 4 sons and one daughter. The last rites of Mr Ram Lal will be performed on Friday at 11 am at Nigam Bodh Ghat.

Mr Ram Babu Sharma, President, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, has expressed his deep shock on the demise of the dedicated Congress leader Mr Ram Lal.

Mr Sharma further said that the absence of such dedicated and experienced leader would always be felt and it would be difficult to fill the vaccum.

While offering his deep condolences to the members of the family of Mr Ram Lal, Mr Sharma assured them that the Congress would always be there to absolve them of any problem confronting them.

He further said that Mr Ram Lal was a very senior and front line leader who had served Delhiites to the very best of his capacities. “Congress Party will always be indebted to him and his social and political achievements will continue inspiring them,” he said.

New Delhi, January 11
There was some respite for Delhiites from the intense cold wave conditions today with the minimum temperature rising to over five degree Celsius for the first time this week even as fog forced delay of some flights here.

The minimum temperature climbed to 5.2 degree Celsius from yesterday’s 3.8 degree Celsius, the Weatherman said. The mercury was hovering around three degree Celsius this week with last Monday recording the lowest temperature of the season with 2.6 degree Celsius. While Sunday recorded a minimum of 4.2 degree Celsius, Tuesday’s minimum was 3.2 degree Celsius. Early morning fog affected normal visibility and it dipped to 200m early but later improved. Airport officials said traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport was affected for some time because of the fog.—TNS

New Delhi, January 11
In a letter written to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, BJP Delhi Pradesh president Harsh Vardhan has demanded she should save lakhs of people living in JJ colonies from the loot of the private power companies as the latter are now exploiting them by serving hefty power bills amounting to thousands of rupees per month to the JJ clusters by violating rules and laws.

In his letter, Dr Harsh Vardhan has said these days lakhs of residents of various JJ clusters of Delhi are suffering due to the arbitrariness and loot of the private power companies. Disregarding the rules and laws, these power companies are finding kw grade electronic meters, which are fast reading meters. As a result, those houses which were getting bills of Rs 175 per month are now getting bills of Rs 500 to Rs 2000 despite low power consumption. It is beyond the capacity of the residents of these colonies to pay such undesired power bills. Nobody is listening to them inspite of complaints being made. If the bill is not paid in time, then the power supply is being disconnected.

People are being threatened with attachment and imprisonment by the power companies.

Trans-Yamuna’s Ambedkar Nagar, Sonia, Kalandar, Deepak, Krishna Market, Sunlight Colony, a major part of Seemapuri and the JJ Colony near Karkardooma Court are suffering due to the arbitrariness of the power companies. These power companies are harassing the residents of JJ clusters in other areas of the Capital also.

New Delhi, January 11
In two separate cases, three persons have been sent to jail for intimidating and obstructing BSES officials and stealing and abetting power theft

According to BSES sources, the legal machinery is taking a strong view not only against people indulging in power theft but also against those abetting it. It has begun taking serious note of people obstructing and intimidating discom officials from carrying out their official duties. In two recent cases, three persons were sent to jail for intimidating and obstructing BSES officials from doing their duty and stealing and abetting power theft.

Naresh Saini, a resident of Laxmi Park in Nangloi division, was recently sent to jail for repeatedly obstructing the implementation of the BSES’ Meter Modernisation Programme (MMP) in the area and stealing and abetting power theft. Besides running an illegal power distribution racket in Nihal Vihar, he used to also facilitate residents of the area in stealing power.

Recently, Saini visited the BSES’ Nangloi office and threatened and intimidated the business manager to stop enforcement raids in Nihal Vihar, where he was running an illegal electricity distribution network. His premises were subsequently raided. He used to steal and illegally supply around 50 KW power to more than 200 residents of the area. A penalty of more than Rs 15 lakh is liable to be imposed on him. “Naresh Saini used to create impediments for the residents, wanting to take bona fide legal connections from the BSES,” said a discom official, adding, “Residents are urged to take legal and bona fide connections. For the purpose, the BSES is holding camps for giving new connections in the area.” Naresh Saini has a long and chequered history of intimidating, threatening and even physically assaulting BSES officials while on duty. A few days back, he physically assaulted a BSES bill distributor while on duty and warned him not to enter the area again. In late November, he had snatched official papers of the MMP team working in the area and obstructed their functioning. He also held them captive for more than three hours.

In August, he visited the division office in the area and slapped one BSES official without any reason. An FIR was subsequently lodged.

According to a BSES official, “In the past four years, the BSES has registered more than 1,000 cases of power theft in the Nangloi area, of which Nihal Vihar is a part. More than Rs 31 crore in penalties have been levied in the area.”

In the second case, two garment factory owners have been sentenced to 14 days’ jail for manhandling BSES inspection teams and stealing power. 

Ghaziabad, January 11
Charges will be framed against Mohammad Waliullah, the main accused in the March 2006 Varanasi twin blasts case, on February 9.

He was produced before the court district and sessions judge R P Chaubey amid tight security after being brought from Dasna district jail last evening.

His counsel Ajay Singh deposed before the court alleging Waliullah was assaulted by other inmates on the instigation of jail officials.

Chaubey directed the prison authorities to provide adequate security to him and produce the medical report on the court’s next hearing on February 9 when the charges would be framed.

The case was transferred to the court from Varanasi following an Allahabad High Court order, as no lawyer in the temple town was ready to defend him.

Justice Shiv Shanker of the High Court made the ruling on November 21 on a transfer application moved by Walliullah.

Walliullah, a cleric of Phoolpur mosque in Allahabad, is the main accused in the bomb blasts at Sankat Mochan temple and Varanasi Cantonment railway station on March 7 last year in which over 20 people were killed.

Gurgaon, January 11
Permanent Lok Adalat, constituted by Haryana State Legal Services Authority, would start functioning for public utility services for masses at District Courts Complex here from January 13.

Mr B M Bedi, District and Sessions Judge cum Chairman of District Legal Services Authority, informed that the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Justice Vijender Jain, would inaugurate the Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA), while Haryana Chief Minister Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda would preside over the function.

Mr Bedi explained that this PLA would provide a great relief not only to the affected masses but also to the courts by resolving hundreds of cases within a short period at pre-litigation level relating to public utility services.

Any person can file his complaint devoid of any advocate consultancy on a simple plain paper without any court fees or charges, informed Mr Bedi, adding that complaints relating to six fields (A) transport services for the carriage of passengers or goods by air, road or water (B) postal, telegraph or telephone services (C) supply of power, light or water to the public by any establishment, (D) system of public conservancy or sanitation (E) service in hospital or dispensary or (E) insurance service, can be filed in the PLA.

After receiving the complaint, the court headed by a retired Judge Mr D D Yadav with two members Mr J S Shokeen (Retd. Superintending Engineer) and Dr R K Batta (Retd. Civil Surgeon) would summon the defendant and shall conduct conciliation proceedings between the parties and settle the issue within a few days on the basis of facts after convincing both parties, revealed the Sessions Judge.

This alternative dispute resolution system at pre-litigation stage is expected to solve around 1,000 cases per month initially, opined Mr Bedi.

He further observed that as the citizens of five districts – Gurgaon, Faridabad, Mewat, Rewari and Mahendergarh – could file their complaints in this PLA, the cases would increase with the passage of time.

In Hisar district, where Haryana has its first Permanent Lok Adalat, Gurgaon being the second district with such facility, around 80 to 90 per cent complaints were being settled in the PLA, informed the Judge.

However, the PLA would not have jurisdiction in respect of any matter (A) relating to an offence not compoundable under any law and (B) where the value of the property in dispute exceeds ten lakh rupees, clarified Mr Bedi.

New Delhi, January 11
The Sant Nirankari Public Schools based out of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and West Bengal are organising their All India Cultural and Sports meet in Delhi on Saturday, January 13, 2007.

The chief guest at the function is Raj Kumar Chauhan, the minister of development, food and supplies, environment and forests, government of NCT Delhi and participants will be blessed by his holiness, Baba Hardev Singh ji Maharaj, the head of the Sant Nirankari mission.

The function will include the usual flag hoisting, guard of honour, athletics, display of yogic and physical exercises and a cultural program.