New Delhi, June 11
The violators of traffic rules will have no respite in the national Capital as the Supreme Court today refused to stay the order of the Delhi High Court increasing the fine for each traffic offence in the city from Rs 100 to Rs 600.

A Bench of Mr Justices Arijit Pasayat and P. P. Naolekar, though, admitted an appeal filed jointly by Harvinder Singh Kalra and the Federation of Delhi Bus Operations (FDBO) against the high court’s order of March 26, it declined to pass an interim stay against it, saying that if citizens followed the traffic rules in letter and spirit, no occasion would arise to penalise them.

While admitting the special leave petitions of Kalra and Federation of Delhi Bus Operations, the Supreme Court issued notices to Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Chief Secretary of the Delhi Government, the Delhi Police Joint Commissioner of Traffic, the New Delhi Municipal Council, the Delhi Containment Board and the Delhi Development Authority, the respondents in the case.

The SLP claimed the high court had no power to pass such order to increase the fine for violation of traffic as it was the prerogative of the legislature and executive because it was a policy matter.

Even the Supreme Court in various judgements had “deprecated” the tendency of courts performing the legislature and executive functions through “judicial activism”, the petitioners contended.

The high court, in its order, had said whenever any driver of any vehicle,including a two-wheeler, was challaned by the traffic police or any other competent authority under law, “he shall be liable to pay costs of Rs 500 for each offence in addition to composition of the fee payable in terms of Section 200 of the Motor Vehicles Act or any other provision of enabling law to that effect.”

Since under the Motor Vehicles Act provisions, the challan fee in Delhi had been fixed at Rs 100 for each traffic violation the total penalty for the offence was hiked by the court to Rs 600.

The high court had further clarified that whenever the challan came before the court for trial, it shall consider the question of imposing the cost depending on the fact of each case and would exercise such discretion in accordance with the settled principles of law.

As an illustration, it had said that if a person jumped the traffic signal the offender shall pay the compounding fee equivalent to the fine and cost, which means Rs 100 plus Rs 500.

After the high court order, the traffic police had launched a city-wide drive against the offenders and the fine collection had jumped manifold since the passage of the impugned order.

Faridabad, June 11
At least seven persons, including three minor children, died of diarrhoea and the ongoing heat wave in the district in the past 24 hours. The total diarrhoea deaths here have been 12 while three persons have been killed by the heat wave so far. Hundreds of patients suffering from diarrhoea have reported in the civil and private hospitals in the past few days. The Emergency ward of Bhadshah Khan Civil Hospital is spilling over with such patients. Hardly any more can be admitted. Hospital sources said two minor girls, aged between one and a half years to two and a half years, died before being admitted to the civil hospital here last night, while three others, including an 18-month-old girl and two women, died in the hospital this morning. They were admitted after complaining of acute diarrhoea symptoms a day earlier in the hospital by their kin. A girl died in the civil hospital at 11.30 last night. She has been identified as Anjali. The other girl, aged less than two years, could not be identified as her kin took her back before furnishing out more details. She died when the hospital staff had just started the admission formalities.

The patients who died of similar symptoms in the civil hospital have been identified as Reena (18 months), a resident of Krishna Colony, Angoori Devi (65) of Rahul Colony and Chuki Devi (32) of Dabua Colony here. Two female patients identified as Kajal (6) of Sector 23 and Asgari (22) of Fatehpur Bilauch village succumbed to the disease yesterday in the same hospital. While the total deaths were still to be figured out by the authorities concerned, it is reported the total number of persons succumbing to diarrhoea in the past 10 days has gone up to 11, though the health officials have not confirmed this figure.

All data regarding diarrhoea victims has been collected from the main civil hospital here, while there could be hundreds of patients reporting at private hospitals and clinics daily. More than 100 patients of water-borne diseases could be reporting in the OPD of the civil hospitals and dispensaries at Ballabgarh, Palwal and Hodal subdivisions daily, said an employee of the health department.

Meanwhile, the ongoing severe heat wave conditions have also affected daily life adversely, leading to at least three deaths so far.

According to reports, a person identified as Mahavir (60) of Adarsh Colony, Ballabgarh, was found dead near a temple on June 9. Two bodies were recovered from Janata Colony and Sector 16 here today. While the deceased, who were middle-aged, could not be identified, the doctors claimed they could have died of dehydration and severe heat conditions.

Though the local administration has banned the sale of cut fruits and eatables kept in the open, the sale and consumption of unhygienic water, raw ice and ice candies is on, especially in the densely congested colonies from where a majority of the patients have reported . 

Gurgaon, June 11
A farmer, aged 65, committed suicide by hanging himself in the police lock-up this morning. He was arrested by the police for allegedly raping his brother’s granddaughter for more than six months.

According to the police, Chandgi Ram, a farmer of Ichapuri village in Pataudi tehsil, was arrested last morning as the mother of a 15-year-old girl had lodged an FIR on June 7, saying that her daughter had been raped continuously for more than six months by Chandgi Ram.

The SHO of the Pataudi police station, Hans Raj, said the medical report of the girl not only confirmed the rape but also established she was carrying a six to seven month-old foetus. This information spread like fire in the village and surrounding areas. The girl started feeling uneasy and was admitted to the local hospital. The attending doctor referred her to a Delhi government hospital. She is being treated at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), informed the police officer.

Chandgi Ram’s wife reportedly visited the police lock-up of the Pataudi police station on Sunday afternoon where he was kept. She took him to task for committing this heinous crime. She reportedly told him not to come home and to the village again. She cursed him.

The house of Chandgi Ram and his brother, whose granddaughter was raped, was in the same locality in the village.

Chandgi Ram was to be produced in the court today. The entire village was against him for committing the crime.

The SHO further informed that the police had decided to conduct a DNA test to confirm the involvement of the accused.

Chandgi Ram was seen lying in the lock-up till 1 am by the security guard. However, at about five in the morning, the security guard found the body of Chandgi Ram hanging inside the lock-up. The lock-up was opened and it was found that Chandgi Ram had died. He had made a noose out of his cloth towel.

Ramesh, a resident of Ichapuri, said Chandgi Ram was a person of loose character as he had allegedly even molested his son’s wife while she was alone in the house. This transpired more than 10 years ago. His son was an Army military and used to come to home during holidays. After some time, his son’s wife had committed suicide and he was booked under Section 304-4. He was convicted for the crime and remained for sometime in jail, added the resident.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anil Dhawan said a magisterial inquiry would be held. The allegation that Chandgi Ram had committed suicide following harassment by the police was baseless,added the officer. 

New Delhi, June 11
Following the decision of St Stephen College’s managing committee to provide 20 per cent seats for SC/ST students, the Delhi Minorities Commission today appealed to the college authorities to fix quota for Muslim minority candidates for admission. The letter was addressed by Arnold James who represents Christian community in the commission.

In a letter to the managing committee of the college, James said that Muslims were the most backward community in the country. “They should be given reservation in institutions so that they can acquire knowledge to uplift their community,” he said in the letter.

The managing committee has reserved 40 per cent of seats for Christian candidates, 40 for other communities and 20 per cent for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST), in the college.

Appreciating the college committee’s move, Arnold James said, “It is important for a minority institution to look after the interests of the minorities. In the recent judgement of the Supreme Court, the minority institutions have been given freedom to have a sprinkle from the majority.”

“Your move of providing 20 per cent seats to SC and ST apart from 40 per cent from the Christian minority is a welcome initiative. Please let us know, if we could be of any help to you in your endeavour of making the institution of an excellence, having equal opportunities to the deprived and neglected classes,” he said in the letter.

He further said, “Muslims have been identified as one of the most backward community in the country. Apart from them, Buddhists and Sikhs also need our special attention.”

New Delhi, June 11
The Delhi Government is learnt to have sanctioned Rs 4 crore for flood-lighting Ambedkar Stadium, which has been a long-standing demand of football fans in the Capital.

A decision to sanction the necessary funds for the flood-lighting of Ambedkar Stadium was taken after a meeting attended by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, All-India Football Federation president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who is also the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs and Delhi Soccer Association president Subhash Chopra, who is a member of the Delhi Assembly.

The need to flood-light the football stadium has become imperative as the ONGC International Football Championship is scheduled to be held in Delhi from August 16 to 24, featuring five foreign teams and hosts India.

The championship is intended to give quality international exposure to the Indian team on home environment.

The event also assumes great significance in view of the fact that the Asian Football Confederation has chosen Delhi as one of the two venues for the implementation of the Vision India soccer pilot project as part of its youth development programme.

Though the formalities for the flood-lighting of the

stadium have been completed, the actual work is yet to begin though the time is very short.

New Delhi, June 11
A court here has acquitted a man of the charges of driving a bus in rash and negligent manner and causing death of a passer-by eight years ago after noting that there was no eye-witness to the incident and two public witnesses had already died.

There is no eye-witness in the case. Two public witnesses - Muttu Swamy and Mithi Appan - got expired.

Hence, there is nothing on record to prove that the driving of the accused was rash or negligent due to which accident had happened, Metropolitan Magistrate Deepak Garg said in a recent order.

The order of the court came after no prosecution witness was present during the last date of hearing.

It, closing the process of evidence recording in the case, also dispensed with statement of the accused Ravi Kumar, a resident of Mangolpuri.

It appeared that no purpose would be served by further adjourning the case for prosecution evidence as the accused is not expected to face trial for indefinite period of time, the Metropolitan magistrate Deepak Garg observed.

According to the prosecution, Kumar, driving a bus in a rash and negligent manner on September 6, 1998, had struck a Maruti van at main road, Mangolpuri in the Capital thereby causing the death of one B Bommahiaya.

The accused, arrested after the incident, was later granted bail during the pendency of trial. 

New Delhi, June 11
The Special Cell of Delhi Police today claimed to have busted an international racket of circulation of counterfeit Indian currency. A woman Tabbasum (26) and one Mohd Shamim (45) have been arrested in this connection.

Counterfeit Indian currency of Rs five lakh of the denomination of Rs 1,000 have allegedly been recovered from the woman. The consignment was meant for circulation in Delhi.

Following a tip-off, they were arrested near Hotel Diamond in Daryaganj area. Shamim had gone there to collect the consignment for disposal.

On interrogation, she allegedly confessed to have visited Karachi and Dubai during April and May this year. In Karachi, she had met one Jamil, a Pakistani who introduced her to one Bilal who imparted the tricks of circulating counterfeit Indian currency notes.

Apart from a commission of 2 per cent, he was ready to borne her all other expenses like boarding, lodging, travel expenses etc. On her return to Mumbai, Bilal allegedly contacted her from Dhaka and directed her to go to Kolkata by air and collected the consignment of counterfeit notes. As per directive, she collected the consignment of Rs ten lakh from one Mukhtar near Khawaja Restaurant in the city, the police claimed.

After collecting the consignment, she allegedly went to Delhi by flight and checked in a hotel in Karol Bagh area. The consignment of counterfeit currency notes of Rs five lakh was handed over to a person in Jama Masjid area. The rest of consignment was to deliver to Shamim, claimed a police officer.

New Delhi, June 11
Adding to the woes of Tihar officials, another inmate of the high security prison died this morning, allegedly due to ‘high fever’, marking the fourth such incident in the last six days.

Anil (30) died at the Deen Dayal Upadhayay Hospital this morning at about 9 am, where he was admitted in the wee hours when detected with ‘high fever’, said Tihar spokeman Sunil Kumar.

Hailing from Najafgarh in South-West Delhi and an HIV positive patient, Anil had been convicted of ‘attempt to murder’, he added.

With this, the total number of Tihar inmates having died in the last six days has reached four, causing anxious moments for prison officials.

On June 9, a 31-year-old undertrial Harish Kumar, lodged in prison no 7, had died while ‘undergoing treatment for de-addiction’ at DDU.

Earlier, two others lodged in the same jail had died since June 6. While on June 8, 57-year-old Kamaljeet arrested on corruption charges had died at DDU Hospital where he was admitted after he complained ‘of nausea and stomach-ache’, two days before this, Amit (23), taken into preventive custody by the Narela police, had died due to ‘dehydration’.

New Delhi, June11
Colonel Satsangi Kiran Memorial School, Chattarpur is going to introduce ‘Personality Development’ as a subject from this academic year.

The principal of the school Dr S S Jaiman said that content of the subject had been designed by a team of Personality Assessment and Development Centre of the school. “It aims at developing each student as a complete person, who is physically enduring, emotionally mature, morally sound and spiritually inclined. The attempt is to transform each student as an effective role player, useful to himself, to his family and equally to society,” she said.

New Delhi, June 11
Rebuffing the criticism over slow desilting of drains, the Leader of House in the MCD Subhash Arya today slammed the irrigation and flood control department of the Delhi government for being slow in carrying out the de-silting process of the drains falling in its jurisdiction.

Subhash Arya claimed that the BJP took charge of the MCD on April 24 and the desilting work was soon started. Within one-and-a-half months, there was considerable progress, he added.

Addressing a conference, Arya described the statement of Delhi urban development and PWD minister A. K. Walia in which he had alleged that MCD was working slowly towards desilting of ‘nallahs’ as ‘politically motivated’.

The Leader of the House assured that the MCD would complete the work within the given time.

Criticising Walia, Arya claimed that the desilting work of drains maintained by the state government would begin from June 25, while the official date for onset of monsoon in Delhi is June 29. Within four days, all drains cannot be desilted. “Having seen the lackluster attitude of the department concerned, the citizens should be ready to face acute water logging situation during the rainy season,” Arya claimed.

“A total of 63 drains are under the Delhi government. Of them, desilting work of only 15 drains has been started,” he said.

Arya further alleged that as per record of the Flood Control Department, not a single cubic meter silt had been removed from Burari drain, Alipur link drain, Jagatpur link drain-II, Tow Drain and Burari.

Giving details of desilting work being carried out by the MCD, Arya said the corporation owed responsibility of desilting of 1,265 ‘nallahs’. “Of these, 565 nallahs are to be desilted by contractors and 298 nallahs are to be desilted by workers appointed on muster roll, whereas 311 nallahs were to be desilted by the department,” he said.

“The work of desilting has been started at 423 nallahs by the contractors. The muster roll employees have begun desilting 143 nallahs. The work of desilting of 44 nallahs by the contractors has been completed. The desilting of 51 nallahs by the department itself has also been completed,” he claimed.

“The contractors have been able to remove 85,000 metric tons of silt, whereas the department has removed 8,332 metric tons of silt. In all, a total of about 93,000 metric tons of silt has so far been removed,” he added.

New Delhi, June 11
Merging healing arts of spiritual and medical, the Capital today witnessed the launch of Mind Healthcare, Psycho Spiritual Therapy Centre, touted as the world’s first ever mind centre that aims at treating individuals with a combination of both spiritual powers imparted by a Zen Master and hard scientific psychiatric and medical inputs.

The centre will cater to treatment of depression, tension, anxiety and relationship problems.

Anil Seth, Consultant Psychiatrist, Mind Healthcare, Psycho Spiritual Therapy Centre, says, “Hundreds of people on a regular basis are unable to cope with their daily stresses that ultimately crumble to fill them up with gross depressions. So, by way of manifesting the healing techniques from two of the ideal arts of spirituality and science combined we are aiming to heal people while we continually focus on teaching them the art of true living.”

Enlightened Zen Master Saint Zindgi said, “Seeing the present humanity suffering from depression, I feel compassionate towards them. We intend to cure people with proper medication alongside spiritual therapy, which is very powerful.”

He says, “Don’t take life seriously, live it in a balanced way.”

The other areas in which the centre will cater to are: ego, anger, sex, jealousy, relationship improvement, marital discord, examination and interview fever, overcoming inferiority complex, sadness and restlessness.