New Delhi, October 13
The Supreme Court today asked suspended Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) chairman Mehar Singh Saini and members to respond to the points raised in the Presidential reference on the powers of the state government in the matter of appointment and removal of HPSC members.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan posted the matter for next hearing on November 11.

Appearing for the state government, senior advocate Shanti Bhushan sought the rejection of the petition of Saini and other suspended members, arguing that the commission appointed in 2004 by then Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala was not functioning impartially and this was evident from the records.

Referring the issue to the Supreme Court, the President had sought clarification on the powers of the state government in referring the issue to the President and whether the government was right in appointing new members.

Earlier, the Haryana government had appointed Bharat Bhushan Batra, an advocate of Rohtak; R.D. Sheokand, IAS (retd); M.P. Bidlan, IAS (retd); and Prem Prakash, an advocate of Gohana, as members of the commission.

These members were appointed following the suspension of eight members and the chairman of the HPSC after the President made a reference to the Supreme Court for their removal. Before that the state cabinet had raised the strength of the commission to 12, besides the chairman. Batra, a law graduate, will also act as the chairman of the HPSC. A practising advocate at Rohtak, Batra had been a director of the Oriental Bank of Commerce.

The government had made a presidential reference in 2006 seeking removal and suspension of the members of the HPSC on the grounds that their appointments were not in consonance with the guidelines.

The government had maintained that the Chautala-led government had made fresh appointments in 2004, just before going out of power, to “remote-control” the HPSC even while it was out of power. 

Jhajjar, October 13
A youth, accused in several attempt-to-murder cases, was killed while two cops received bullet injuries in an encounter in Dhakla village in the district last night. The police had gone to the village to raid the house of the youth after receiving a tip-off that a most-wanted criminal was hiding in their house.

The Jhajjar police raided the house of former sarpanch Sombir late last night. There was an exchange of fire as the criminals opened fire on the police party and the police returned the fire. While Sombir’s brother Jasbir, accused in attempt-to-murder cases, sustained bullet injuries and died on the spot, a head constable and a constable suffered bullet injuries in the encounter.

The injured policemen were rushed to the local Civil Hospital, from where they were referred to the PGIMS at Rohtak.

Later, Sombir, who also has nearly 25 criminal cases against him, met the SP along with other villagers and alleged that his brother was killed in cold blood. Sombir said the police picked up Jasbir from their house and then shot him dead in the street outside the house.

The SP has marked an inquiry to DSP (Headquarters) Sukhbir Singh into the allegations levelled by the brother of the deceased. “Further action will be taken on the basis of the inquiry report of the DSP,” the SP stated.

Meanwhile, the body of Jasbir was handed over to his family members after a post-mortem examination. 

Faridabad, October 13
The district administration is contemplating action against the sarpanch of Kelgaon village, near here, for allegedly encouraging his “associates” to grab panchayat land.

Following complaints from some residents of the village to deputy commissioner Brijender Singh, the SDM of Ballabgarh was deputed to look into the case. A three-member committee, including the BDO concerned, was constituted.

According to Ballabgarh SDM H.C.Jain, the committee has “found truth” in the complaints of the villagers. Jain said the report had been submitted to the deputy commissioner.

The suspension of sarpanch Aasin is a possibility.

The area under question was about 9,000 sq yards. The land is of high value as it falls along the Agra-Mathura National Highway.

The associates of the sarpanch, all residents of the village, had allegedly started construction work on the land. About 40 persons had allegedly tried to set up jhuggis. Each of them was trying to corner about 50 sq yards.

The panchayat had recently recommended the land for rehabilitation of BPL families. However, the local administration had rejected it and had decided to provide land for the families at another place.

Bhiwani, October 13
Haryana tourism and forest minister Kiran Chaudhary said here today that on the initiative of the state, the Centre had declared diclofenac a prohibited drug to save vultures which were on the verge of extinction.

Presiding over the closing ceremony of the state-level Wildlife Week here, she said diclofenac was given to animals as an analgesic. However, when vultures scavenged on these carcasses, it caused mass deaths among them.

Haryana had represented to the Centre to prohibit the prescription of this drug. The Centre had agreed and a substitute drug had now been made available.

She said the Surinder Singh Memorial Elephant Rehabilitation Research Centre was being set up near Yamunanagar. It would conduct research on rehabilitating elephants which were ousted from their natural habitat due to a variety of reasons.

Chaudhary said crocodile, tiger and wolf enclosures were being established at the local zoo at an estimated cost of Rs 1.35 crore. The entire grant had been given by the Centre.

She said to save endangered species from extinction a pheasant breeding centre had been set up at Morni where the red jungle fowl was being bred successfully.

The minister said Haryana was promoting eco-tourism and Morni, Kalesar and Sultanpur were being developed as eco-tourism destinations.

The government had also published a booklet on wildlife which would be distributed among school students to increase their awareness about wildlife and its importance in maintaining the ecology.

Jind, October 13
Family members and kin of a youth, who died under mysterious circumstances on September 12, blocked traffic on the Narwana-Khanori road in the district today for about two hours, demanding an independent probe and registration of a murder case. The road blockade was lifted after an assurance by the officials concerned in this regard.

The victim, Chanderpal, hailing from Dhabi Tekchand village in the district, had gone on a pilgrimage to Gogameri in Rajasthan on September 11 along with three other residents of the village. However, his family received a shock when his body was brought to the village the next day and was told that Chanderpal had drowned in a water body  at Gogameri.

The police had registered a case under section 174 of the IPC. However, suspecting foul play his kin refused to accept this theory and lodged a complaint with the police seeking a proper probe into the matter.

The protesters, who had come from various places, including Narwana, Pehowa, Gohana, Tohana, Guhla Cheeka, Khanori village and Dhabi Tekchand village, alleged that the police had taken the matter lightly and their demand for an inquiry had been overlooked despite several requests.

It is claimed that the police did not even question the three persons who had gone with the victim and just believed the story told to it.

Yamunanagar, October 13
A large number of residents of Mundakhera village today blocked the national highway for about two hours in protest against the inability of the police to arrest the accused in the murder case of two youths, including one from their village.

A group of more than 20 persons had allegedly murdered the two youths - Hardev Singh and Shiv Kumar - in Jagadhri on Saturday. One of the youths, Hardev Singh, belonged to Mundakhera.

The villagers complained that even after three days of the incident, the police had not been able to arrest the accused even though it had registered a case. The villagers lifted the road blockade only after DSP Het Ram assured them that the police would soon arrest the accused.

The villagers warned that they would again stage a dharna on Wednesday in the mini-secretariat if the police failed to arrest the accused.

Gurgaon, October 13
The Gurgaon administration found itself on a sticky wicket following the arms renewal application submitted by Harsimrat Badal, wife of MP Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Harsimrat was granted the arms licence No. 5 DM/6/May 2002 on May 28, 2002, at the address of a hotel owned by Badal’s family at Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon. The licence was also renewed in 2005 on the same address.

According to the India Arms Act, the applicant must be a resident of the area from where he/she wants an arms licence. Harsimrat had mentioned her address as 443, Phase V, Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon, in her original arms licence application and afterwards in two renewals. A five-star hotel (Trident) stands today, from where she was granted the arms licence.

It is belived that Harsimrat was granted arms licence in May 2002 due to the pressure from high-ups as at this time Haryana was ruled by Badal’s close friend Om Prakash Chautala.

During this period, Anurag Rastogi was Gurgaon deputy commissioner, Kuldip Singh Siag – the senior superintendent of police and R.S. Kharb was the sub-divisional Magistrates. These three officers are primarily responsible for the lapse at that time for making an arm licence to a five star hotel address.

However, in 2005 when her arms licence was renewed, Bhupindre Singh Hooda was Haryana’s Chief Minister that time, Sudhir Rajpal was the DC, Yoginder Nehra was the SSP and present incumbent Jai Singh Sangwan was the SDM.

Harsimrat was granted permission to have three types of weapons – revolver, pistol and rifle. She has an all India permit to carry her weapon(s). As per her arms licence, she had bought a rifle from her husband Sukhbir Singh Badal.

For renewal of her arms licence, Harsimrat had attached the papers of land allotment, issued by the Haryana State Industries and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) for industrial plot no. 443, UV, Phase V, Gurgaon. The land had been allotted to M/s Orbit Resorts Pvt Limited wherein there are three directors in the company — Harsimrat, Sukhbir Singh Badal and (3) Sukhbir’s mother Surinder Kaur.

While applying for renewal of her arms licence on September 26, 2008, addressed to SDM Jai Singh Sangwan, Harsimrat has stated her address as 443, UV, Phase V, Gurgaon. The same address where hotel Trident stands today. The Badals had tied up with the Trident group to run this hotel property in Gurgaon.

However, the Lok Sabha secretarial record mentions two addresses of Sukhbir Singh Badal (MP). His permanent address; House no. 256, Sector 9-C, Chandigarh, while his present address is 12, Safdarjung Road, Delhi.

SDM Sangwan informed that as per laid down procedure, the application was forwarded to police department for police verification. Sub-inspector Dayaram has categorically stated in his police verification report that the said property was owned by Harsimrat, Sukhbir Singh Badal and Surinder Kaur.

Harsimrat visits the place (Trident hotel) regularly to look after her property, mentioned the SI report, Confirming the SI’s report the SHO of Udyog Vihar police station, has also stated in his report that Harsimrat visits this place and forwarded the report to the assistant commissioner of police. — PTI

Sirsa, October 13
Ranjit, a teacher from Ellenabad town here, had never thought that accepting the offer of a cup of tea from an old woman acquaintance would prove costly to him.

The teacher has been reportedly duped by two imposters pretending to be cops with the active connivance of the woman.

The police has registered a case and arrested one person in this regard, while another accused and two women have been absconding.

According to police sources, Ranjit has said in his complaint to the police that he met a woman, who originally belonged to Ellenabad, at Subhash Chowk here on Saturday.

The woman told him that she was married in a family in this town and invited him for a cup of tea to her residence.

However, on the way to her residence, she stopped in Masjid Wali Gali on the pretext of meeting a friend. After coming out, she told Ranjit that her friend, who lived alone, was insisting on having a cup of tea with her.

Ranjit readily went inside the house. However, when he was sitting on a bed, two men feigning as policemen in the crime investigation agency (CIA) of the district police suddenly came in and allegedly started taking photographs from their mobile phones.

They allegedly threatened him that they would arrest him for immoral trafficking and get the news published in newspapers with his photographs.

Ranjit told the police that he was terrified and pleaded them to settle the case out of police station. The two accused demanded a sum of Rs 1 lakh from him for settling the matter.

Ranjit said he contacted several friends in the town but could manage to collect Rs 50,000 only. The accused, who revealed their identities as Raghubir Singh and Surjeet Singh, reportedly accepted the money but took his driving licence, ATM card and registration certificate of the motorcycle as surety for the rest of money.

Ranjit, however, got suspicious of their activities after they left and inquired about them from the CIA staff. It was then that he came to know that he has been cheated.

He reported the matter to the police, who registered a case under Sections 419, 420, 170, 386 and 34 of the IPC against the accused.

“The police has arrested Raghubir Singh and recovered Rs 30,000 from his possession. The other man identified as Surjit Singh is still absconding. The two women, who, according to Raghubir Singh, were hand in glove with them are also at large,” said Ajay Sharma, SHO of city police station, Sirsa.

Sonepat, October 13
The mortal remains of the chairman of the Shambhu Dayal Education Society, Sonepat, Atam Prakash (80), who was shot dead by some unidentified persons near a level crossing in the town late last evening, were consigned to the flames here today. A large number of people, including representatives of various educational institutions and political parties, paid their homage to the departed soul.

After a postmortem at the local Civil Hospital, his body was handed over to family members for performing the last rites.

Yesterday, after offering prayers in a temple in SDM School when Atam Prakash crossed the level crossing and turned towards the railway station around 8 pm, some unidentified assailants fired at him and escaped. He was taken to a private hospital and was declared dead reportedly due to excessive bleeding.

A case has been registered in the Civil Lines police station against unidentified persons.

Karnal, October 13
In a run-up to Lok Sabha elections, the Congress has initiated the process of selection of candidates and deputed observers to take stock of the ground situation.

The party observer for Karnal and Bhiwani Lok Sabha seats, Upinder P. Doshi, today set the process in motion by meeting a cross-section of workers and leaders to elicit their views. He is also a member of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC).

The Karnal Lok Sabha seat, which is being represented by Arvind Sharma, has become a hotbed of internal squabbles due to defiant postures of the local MP. As a result, a large number of workers from various camps met the observer to put forth their viewpoint.

Doshi described his visit as an “exploration” exercise to listen to the problems of the workers and know their views. The primary duty of the workers was to actively work to project the policies, programmes and achievements of the government and it could be done effectively if the party was strong and united, he said.

When asked about the impression gathered by him from the views of different factions of the party, he said he would be able to say something only after completing his mission. “I will submit a detailed report to the high command,” he said.

It was a day of hectic political activity for the Congress as groups of workers met the observer and lobbied “for and against” Arvind Sharma. The president of the Municipal Council, Bhupinder Singh Kalra, along with seven councillors, Beopar Mandal leaders and representatives of some other communities and other organisations reportedly told the observer that

Arvind Sharma was the most suitable candidate and denial of ticket to him could spell doom for the party.

Other factions of the party reportedly projected the names of former minister Vinod Sharma and HPCC working president Kuldeep Sharma, making it clear that the Congress ticket would go to some Brahmin.

Panipat, October 13
Former union minister of state for home I. D. Swami said here today that the alliance with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in Haryana was a strategic step taken by the BJP leadership to strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Speaking to mediapersons, the senior leader of the BJP said the alliance was mutual that was aimed at consolidating the political standing of both the INLD in the state and the NDA at the centre.

Denying any discontent in the party’s rank and file, Swami claimed that the mood among the workers was upbeat. He said that though initially there was some discontent regarding the alliance, after considering the pros and cons, all were satisfied that it was in the best political interest of the NDA.

Hoping that the alliance would help the NDA form the next government at the centre, Swami said the central leadership of the party was convinced that the decision was a major step forward that would prove favourable for the NDA. He said both parties felt that the Congress had brought misery to the common man.

Swami said the INLD was an uncompromising anti-Congress force and the alliance would ensure that the Congress was voted out of power. He said the BJP would hold a joint rally with the INLD in Sonepat on November 1 that would be addressed by both L. K. Advani and Om Prakash Chautala. The leaders would announce the party policies at the rally. 

Kaithal, October 13
Dalip Chawla, state media coordinator to Haryana Chief Minister, has said the state has set new records in development under the leadership of Bhupinder Singh Hooda and welfare schemes for all sections of society have been launched in the state.

Addressing a press conference here today, he said he had been appointed as the media coordinator to keep a good rapport between the media and the government so that the progress of development activities could reach the people. He also offered to apprise the Chief Minister about the problems being faced by the media.

Lashing out at former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, Chawla said with an eye on the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the former Chief Minister had started appeasing the business community. However, when he was in power, he left no chance to exploit the traders. Chautala was the first Chief Minister to introduce VAT and form no. 38 in the country, which were opposed by the business community, he added.

When asked about the worsening law and order in the state and increase in the number of crimes, Chawla expressed satisfaction over the law and order situation and showered praise on the state government. He said the government did not patronise the criminals, but rather forced them to either shed their criminal activities or leave the state. He said due to improvement in law and order situation, large business houses had set up their industries in the state.

Chandigarh, October 13
Haryana will shortly launch Directly Observed Treatment Short (DOTS) course Plus Programme for those TB patients who have become multi-drug resistant due to incomplete and inadequate TB treatment.

With the introduction of this programme, Haryana will be the first state in north India and third in the country after Maharashtra and Gujarat to provide free of cost second line treatment to TB patients.

Haryana health minister Kartar Devi said the cost of the treatment of multi-drug resistant patients came to be around Rs 1 lakh per patient which was free of cost under the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP).

She said in the first phase of DOTS Plus Programme, seven districts of the state - Rohtak, Panipat, Sonepat, Jind, Karnal, Jhajjar and Bhiwani - would be covered.

In the second phase, DOT Plus Programme would cover the rest of the districts of the state. Indoor facility would now be available to DOT Plus cases in the department of chest and TB, PGIMS, Rohtak.

Treatment under DOT plus would start from October this year, she added.

She said the RNTCP was being implemented throughout Haryana to control tuberculosis, which took a toll of 4 lakh persons every year and had become a major killer disease in the country.

At present, there were nearly 35,591 TB patients in Haryana who had access under the highly effective directly observed treatment strategy. — UNI

Kaithal, October 13
A 51-year-old ex-serviceman, Ram Sarup, was murdered at his residence in Friends Colony here last night. The wife of the deceased, Krishna, in a complaint lodged with the police, stated that two persons, armed with sharp-edged weapons, entered their house.

While she and her husband were sleeping in the verandah of the house, their son and daughter were sleeping in a room. The killers tied her and the children with ropes and then attacked Ram Sarup with the weapons, resulting in his death on the spot. After committing the crime, they fled.

The motive behind the crime is yet to be ascertained. The police has registered a case.