Bathinda, July 12
With the recovery of the amount and the arrest of a bank employee along with his two accomplice who were also his relatives, the district police today claimed to have cracked the Rs 50 lakh bank fraud case, which had taken place at the Bank Bazaar branch of the Bank of India, Bathinda, on July 7.

As per the details procured, the alleged mastermind behind the fraud, Gurmel Singh, a peon-cum-record keeper with the Union Bank of India, Muktsar, along with his brother-in-law Gurmeet Singh of village Sahuke in Moga , who is a health officer, and his son Sukhwinder Singh, prepared a fake pay order (banker’s cheque) and affixed the bank seal on it.

Disguising himself as Rajinder Singh, a cashier of the Union Bank of India, Muktsar, and his son as a gunman of the bank, Gurmeet Singh submitted the pay order at the Bank of India, Bank Bazaar, Bathinda, and took the amount of Rs 50 lakh.

The next day, when the bank officials sent the cheque for clearance, the Union Bank of India authorities detected the fraud. Then on July 9, the zonal manager of Bank of India, V.K. Aggarwal, lodged a formal complaint with the Kotwali police, Bathinda.

The police team comprised SP (D), ASP (city) and SHOs of police stations concerned. They cracked the case just three days later. SSP Ashish Chaudhary said Rs 33,60,000 was found deposited in the HDFC account of Gurmeet.

The pass book has been recovered and the account has been frozen. The rest of the amount, Rs 7,40,000 from Gurmeet, Rs 1 lakh from Sukhwinder and Rs 8 lakh from Gurmel, have been recovered in cash. In addition to the cash, 21 rubber stamps of the bank have also been recovered. Answering a query regarding negligence of bank employees, he said banks were regularly dealing with excess cash but now have been ordered to initiate departmental inquiry into the case. A criminal case had been registered under relevant sections of the IPC. The three are in police remand till July 15 for further interrogation.

There was a minor gaffe at the first press conference addressed by SSP Ashish Chaudhary after taking charge. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) kept referring to the United Bank of India, Muktsar, as UCO Bank, and the Bank of India, Bathinda, as the Indian Bank.

When the media persons assembled there pointed it out, he brushed it aside saying, "So what if the names are different, but the case has been resolved." — TNS

Fazilka, July 12
President of the block Congress Committee (Rural), Jalalabad (W) Raj Baksh Kamboj was allegedly assaulted by about nearly 12 unidentified persons today in the afternoon. He sustained serious injuries and was shifted to Ludhiana after preliminary treatments at Civil Hospital, Jalalabad.

Former president of Truck Union, Jalalabad, Kamboj was attacked in Tehsil Complex of Jalalabad, some 32 kilometres from here.

According to sources, Kamboj was getting some documents typed outside the chamber of an advocate. The assailants carrying weapons entered into the tehsil complex from different directions and launched an attack on Raj Baksh. They allegedly hit him with sticks and sharp-edged weapons. The site is just a few yards away from the office of SDM and senior sub-judge.

Scores of people were present near the site of assault but none of them dared to intervene due to alleged terror of the assailants.

After the assailants fled from the scene, some advocates shifted Kamboj in their car to civil hospital. The attending Medical Officer Parveen Garg said that in view of injuries to his abdomen and serious condition, he had been shifted to Ludhiana.

Raj Baksh is a relative of former forest minister of Punjab and former MLA of Jalalabad Hans Raj Josan. The former minister while talking to the TNS criticised the attack on Congress leader. He alleged that Kamboj was attacked earlier also several times during the past one-and-half years of SAD-BJP regime to settle political scores. Josan revealed that Raj Baksh had also filed a writ before the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding previous attacks on him.

According to police sources, a police officer has been sent to Ludhiana to record the statement of the injured Raj Baksh for registering a case against the accused. 

Bathinda, July 12
The newspaper advertisements for congratulating the victorious councillors of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), have courted controversy in the city.

Taking a serious note of the advertisements, issued by the party rebels who contested BMC elections against the official SAD candidates, the district in-charge of SAD Sikander Singh Maluka today flayed them. Adamant that they should remain expelled from the party, he warned them to desist from such “unauthorised” acts.

Lashing out at Harmander Singh Smagh, a rebel SAD candidate, who was recently defeated in the BMC elections by SAD councillor Rajan Garg from ward 12, Maluka and the first mayor of Bathinda, Baljeet Singh Birbehman, crtiticised him for issuing a congratulatory advertisement naming himself as a senior party leader.

Through a note issued on the party letterhead, Birbehman condemned him for the act and said that he could not receive greetings from persons who worked against party candidates in the elections. Besides, he mentioned that there would no relationship between him and the party rebels who had been expelled.

Taking Smagh to task, Maluka stated that he had contested against the party candidate Rajan Garg with the tacit backing of the opposition. He had been expelled from the party for at least six years for this anti-party activities. He was now not even a member of the party and pretending to be a senior SAD leader in the advertisement was an act for which he would not be condoned, Maluka added. On the other hand, Rajan Garg, holding a meeting at his residence, appealed to the residents to open a united front against persons who have deceived the party for their vested interests.

When contacted, Smagh said he had neither given the advertisement nor had he seen it in any newspaper. “It is possible that some friends might have given it and for that, I would face any action taken against me,” he added.

Bathinda, July 12
The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) has started a special drive to stop the wastage of electricity, which is over 30 per cent, in 11 KV feeders. In a press release issued here today, the PSEB said that the Board was already buying electricity from other states at a higher rate and saving electricity could help the needy people.

This was revealed by G.S. Sra, member, generation, PSEB, in a meeting of all Board officials of the western zone.

Sra also appealed to the people to use electricity according to their use. He suggested that people should reveal about their use of electricity and load, so that establishment of heavy transformers could be incorporated in the PSEN schemes.

He warned against power thefts and said legal action would be taken against those found guilty. All these steps would help in proper distribution and would provide relief to the Board that is facing a financial crunch.

The press note also said that a meeting between Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) officials comprising executive director M.L.Sra and Jatinder Kumar, had a meeting with Sra and assured that BHEL would complete the remaining work on unit III of Lehra Mohabbat thermal power plant and synchronisation of unit IV would also be done soon. All these would streamline electricity transmission in Punjab. 

Abohar, July 12
The liquor mafia, which has been smuggling liquor from Chandigarh to Gujarat via Punjab and Rajasthan, has firm roots in Abohar, a fresh catch by the Rajasthan police once again confirms this.

The Rajasthan police on Friday raided the house and commercial establishments of one Jagmeet Singh alias Pappa here to nab him in connection with a bid to smuggle more than one thousand cases of liquor that was branded "for sale in UT Chandigarh only" but he was not traceable.

According to the information gathered from different sources, the Rajasthan Excise check-post staff had on Tuesday night intercepted a truck at the Ratanpura crossing near Sangria town. The documents reportedly issued by the Abohar-based Balaji Transport Company claimed that the truck was carrying wheat flour bags to deliver these to a trader in Gujarat. But smell emanating from the consignment caused suspicion. The search led to recovery of more than 1,000 cases of liquor that was valid for sale only at Chandigarh.

Sources further informed that truck driver Rai Singh (40) told the interrogation team that he originally belonged to village Sarawan Bodla near Malout, but at present was employed at Abohar. His assistant Sahib Singh belonged to village Beganwali in the Fazilka area. They reportedly disclosed that the truck was loaded in their absence at Zirakpur and they had not been told about the exact destination where the consignment was to be unloaded. They were told that someone at Udaipur would tell them about the destination in Gujarat. The Sangria police said today that details of calls made to the cell phone owned by the driver was being examined to establish the identity of the alleged smugglers.

Significantly, rates in Chandigarh and Punjab vary due to relaxation given by the UT in excise duty on liquor. This prompted the liquor mafia to smuggle liquor from Chandigarh to Rajasthan and Gujarat. The latter observed prohibition otherwise and had been the first choice for the smugglers, sources said.

Bathinda, July 12
The Army School, Bathinda Military Station on Friday felicitated its NCC cadets who brought laurels to the school by winning the shooting contest held during the Annual NCC Training Camp, which was organised recently at the Government Rajindra College, Bathinda.

Two NCC cadets of the school had bagged the top two awards in the shooting competition. Sandeep Singh of class-IX B and Ajay Kumar Yadav of class X-C clinched the first and the second positions respectively in the 25 metres .22 rifle shooting competition.

Principal of the school, Rupinder Kaur congratulated NCC cadets on their grand success. She also congratulated the NCC officer of the school, R.C. Singh, for encouraging students to excel.

The 20 Punjab Battalion NCC, Bathinda, had conducted the NCC training camp between June 19 and 28. NCC cadets of altogether 13 schools had participated in the camp. 

Following the guidelines of the 20 Punjab Battalion NCC, Bathinda, the Army School on Friday celebrated the Paryavaran Divas by planting trees and sapling on the school premises. Nearly 35 NCC cadets of the school planted about 100 trees and sapling to mark the occasion. Principal of the school, Rupinder Kaur, NCC officer of the school, R.C. Singh and other staff of the school also participated in the programme. — TNS

Abohar, July 12
The DAV College has offered free education to toppers in academics, sports and cultural activities.

The new principal B.B. Sharma who assumed the office today, made some announcements during his press conference. Earlier, he was greeted by the officiating principal Anil Makkar besides other members of the staff on his arrival.

Claiming that no other college in Punjab that was affiliated with the Panjab University was offering MSc in Biotechnology, Sharma said the DAV College had made arrangements for MSc in Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Mathematics and IT besides offering admissions to MCom, BPEd and BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology and post graduations in arts faculty in four subjects. The college had got ultra modern laboratory for biotechnology.

Sharma said that the students who use bicycle to save fuel and environment from pollution would be offered 50 per cent rebate in parking charges. The new principal said more job-oriented courses like lab technician and computer-based accountancy were in the pipeline. The institution would arrange for BBA and MCA also by the next session.

Concerned over fate of economically weaker students, he offered free teaching for brilliant students who hailed from the BPL families. 

Barnala, July 12
Senior Akali leader Bhola Singh Virk has rejoined as the chairman of the management committee of Guru Gobind Singh College, Sanghera. After a gap of three months, he succeeded in getting cancelled the state government's earlier order for appointing an administrator for this college.

Addressing a press conference here today, Virk said that Anjali Bhawra, secretary, higher education vide his order 13/234/07-C,4067-69 dated February 12 deployed SDM Barnala as administrator of the college.

But after scrutinising the college records when the higher education department found nothing objectionable, the same secretary ordered the revival of the original management committee.

Virk said that he along with his 19 member team met MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa to look into the matter. On his recommendations, the team met minister for higher education Upinderjeet Kaur. Virk said that he put up the case of his college before the minister. He said that when the secretary higher education ousted him from the college management, it had not described any reason for that. No show-cause notice was issued to him. There was no complaint from the faculty or the students. So after being satisfied with the college records, the secretary ordered the revival of the committee on July 2. A letter to this effect has been received today by the committee.

After taking over the charge of chairman, the executive body held its meeting here today. It expressed gratitude towards Dhindsa for playing a pivotal role in reviving the old committee while strongly criticising Tamil Nadu Governor Surjeet Singh Barnala's role in acting against the college management.

As per Virk, Barnala wrote to the former chief minister Captain Amrinder Singh vide his letter dated 17-4-2004 for the dismissal of the existing management committee. Acting on the Governor's recommendation, Capt forwarded the matter to the higher education department. And after a span of three years, the officials concerned dismissed him from the management. Virk claimed that he had the official copy of the letter written by Barnala and Capt Amarinder in this regard. 

Abohar, July 12
The B.L. Vedic High School, Arya Putri Pathshala and D.R. Jai Devi Model School, associated with the local Arya Samaj, remained closed here today to mourn the death of Dr Pankaj Rattan Miglani (31).

Pankaj, the only son of leading medicos and social activists, Saroj and Sushil Rattan Miglani, had died of cardiac arrest last evening. He was cremated at the Subhash Nagar ground here in the presence of hundreds of citizens. The Arya Samaj held a condolence meeting, which was presided over by its president Sohan Lal Setia. Scores of NGOs expressed shock over the demise. 

Mansa, July 12
Ashok Bansal of Mansa is among those personalities who got an award from the Punjabi Award Management Board, New York, this year. He was awarded for his contribution to the field of music production.

Ashok Bansal had also been honoured by the Punjabi Academy, Leicester, England on July 8, 2006 and by the Punjabi Arts Association, Canada, on July 20, 2007.

He said that the Punjabi Award Management Board, New York, provides such awards to prominent personalities for their contribution in different fields.

This year among others who were honoured in New York were Surinder Singh Sodhi, Gurbhajan Gill, for his contribution to the field of literature and Amrita Virk for folk singing.

Ashok said that his main work was producing music and he had provided old music archives to foreign musicians.

Kamaljit Malwa, president of the Sabhyachar Chetna Manch, Mansa, and Kuldeep Dhaliwal, president of the Sabhyachar and Samaj Sewa Manch, Mansa, welcomed Ashok Bansal when he reached here yesterday after receiving this award. They termed it a big achievement. 

Abohar, July 12
BSF DIG V.K. Sharma performed 'bhoomi poojan' to commence the construction of residential quarters for 36 families in the sector headquarters here today afternoon. Chaman Rana, commandant, 199 battalion, and other officers were present on the occasion.

In a separate function, Ramesh Kumar Sharma, who is the president of the BSF Wives Welfare Association (BWWA), laid the foundation stone of the residential project, which would cost about Rs 2.36 crore and would be completed within 13 months. She prayed to the almighty with folded hands for peace, prosperity and bright future of the BSF families before unveiling the curtain from the stone.

Some of the women who graced the occasion with their presence told this correspondent that the BWWA president had relentlessly been working towards ensuring basic amenities to the BSF personnel and their families. The BWWA members braved rainy weather to make the brief ceremony impressive.

The DIG said that 120 men barrack for accommodation of the jawans had recently been dedicated and another barrack was nearing completion in the complex. 

Ferozepur, July 12
The Ghall Khurd police registered a case against four persons, who impersonated as CIA sleuths and allegedly stole a car after deceiving the lady of the house.

According to the police sources, four men came to the house of Kuldeep Singh, while his wife was alone at home. They introduced themselves as personnel from the CIA staff and told the lady that their Ford Ikon car was a stolen one, so they would have to take it away with them.

Later, when Kuldeep Singh came back, his wife told him about the incident. Kuldeep checked up with the CIA staff officials but found that no one from the CIA staff headquarters had visited their house.

Later, he reported the matter to the police, and on the basis of his statement, an FIR, number 125, under section 420 of the IPC, has been registered against four unknown persons at the Ghallkhurd police station.