New Delhi, November 1
Deepa Verma, 23, undergoing treatment in the Hedgewar Hospital at Krishna Nagar has alleged that her husband and in-laws tried to kill her by mixing poison in her food. A case has been lodged but no arrests have been made so far.

Deepa was admitted to the Hedgewar Hospital last night by her father for stomach cleansing. Her father lives in the Indira Park area here of East Delhi. She alleged that her husband Sanjay and in-laws harassed her for bringing less dowry. She added that on Thursday night Sanjay with his sister beat her up on a trivial issue for quite some time. She said that after she became unconscious, she was given a glass of water containing poison. Deepa got suspicious and called up her father who took her to the hospital.

Sanjay and Deepa have been married for four years and have a two-year-old daughter. Sanjay owns a cosmetic shop.

The samples from Deepa’s stomach have been sent for test. “Only after we receive the report and it is established that she was given poison, we would be able to take action. As of now we have refrained from arresting anyone,” said a police official. 

New Delhi, November 1
The Nangloi police today arrested Sanjeet Singh and his parents Baljeet and Nirmala for the murder of Sanjeet’s wife Anju Rani. Anju Rani, 24, was found smothered at her Bakkarwala village residence in the Nangloi area of West Delhi on Wednesday evening.

According to the police, Anju was killed for dowry and her mother-in-law Nirmala and sister-in-law Meena had committed the crime. According to DCP (West Delhi) Sharad Aggarwal, Anju’s in-laws wanted to remarry their son, so they decided to eliminate Anju.

Sanjeet had feigned ignorance in the incident. He had said it to be the deed of some unknown persons and had claimed that they might have killed Anju for money.

Anju’s father had alleged that Sanjeet along with his family members had killed his daughter for dowry.

The contrary statements of Sanjeet and his parents regarding their whereabouts at the time of the incident and their relationship with the deceased compelled the police to arrest them.

Meena, who allegedly murdered Anju along with her mother Nirmala is absconding.

Meanwhile, Anju’s father Satyawan Singh who works in the ministry of external affairs as a driver had alleged that Sanjeet’s family had been demanding Rs 10 lakh from him. He had said that his daughter’s in-laws constantly harassed her for getting more money from him. Sataywan added that Anju’s family, including her husband often threatened of killing her.

Anju had got married to Sanjeet four years ago. Sanjeet is a property dealer and owns a public school in the area. His father Baljeet is a peon in a municipal office here. 

New Delhi, November 1
Sleuths of the Maurya Enclave police station today arrested murder victim’s father-in-law Balaji Chapre (50) along with his son Pujbal (24) in connection with the killing.

N G Dikote (42) was found murdered in his Pritampura house with multiple injuries on October 13. He was a lecturer in GB Pant Polytechnic College, Okhla in South Delhi.

According to N S Bundela, DCP (north-west), Dikote was married to Sonal in 2003 after his first wife died of cancer a few years back. However, there was not much understanding between the two and Sonal often returned to her parents’ house in Maharashtra after fighting with her husband. Sonal’s father Balaji used to ring up Dikote to stop mistreating his daughter.

After friends of Dikote told the police that he did not have good relations with his in-laws, Balaji and Pujbal were interrogated and their statements were found contradictory.

Later, the duo admitted to killing the lecturer. Balaji has told police that he had come along with his son to Dikote’s house on October 12 and stayed with him. However, around midnight, they stabbed Dikote and killed him. In the morning, they left for Maharashtra around 6 am and threw the bloodstained clothes somewhere near Agra. 

New Delhi, November 1
The Delhi police today filed charges against Utsav Bhasin, the son of a Haryana industrialist, for allegedly mowing down a motorcyclist while driving his BMW car in the capital in September this year.

Filing the chargesheet in the court of metropolitan magistrate Ajay Goel, the police booked Utsav under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 279 (rash and negligent driving) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for the September 11 accident that claimed the life of BPO employee Anuj Singh.

Section 304 carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

The court deferred the hearing on his bail plea till November 4.

Bhasin was driving his BMW car on September 11 when he allegedly hit Anuj and his companion who were on a motor cycle around 2.40 am near the Moolchand flyover in South Delhi.

While Anuj, who was driving the motorbike, succumbed to his injuries a day after the accident, Mrigank Srivastava, who was riding pillion, was injured. He is recovering.

Utsav is the son of Haryana industrialist R.K. Bhasin. — IANS

New Delhi, November 1
Having missed the deadline to submit the report on the Jamia Nagar shootout for the second time, the Delhi police has asked the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for a three week extension.

“The Delhi police was supposed to submit its report on the September 19 Jamia shootout by October 30. However, they have now written to the commission asking for three weeks’ time for the same,” an NHRC official said.

Kamran Siddiqui of NGO Real Cause had alleged that the shootout at Batla House in Jamia Nagar of South Delhi could have been “fabricated”.

Based on the complaint, the commission issued a notice to Delhi police commissioner Y.S. Dadwal and sought a report on September 23, giving them two weeks.

On failing to submit the report within the stipulated time, the commission send them a reminder, extending the deadline to October 30.

Two alleged terrorists suspected to be involved in the September 13 Delhi serial bombings, which claimed 26 lives, were killed in the shootout.

While two other suspected terrorists escaped, one was later arrested. Delhi police inspector M.C. Sharma was also killed in the shootout. — IANS

Gurgaon, November 1
The Haryana Power Utilities supplied 9 per cent more electricity to the consumers of the state during October, 2008, as compared to the corresponding month last year.

During this October, the Power Utilities supplied 21,433 lakh units of electricity, while 19,733 lakh units were supplied during October, 2007. Giving details, a spokesman for the Haryana Power Utilities said here today that the power generating units of the state produced 11,974 lakh units of electricity during October, 2008, whereas these units had contributed 8,872 lakh units of electricity during October, 2007.

One of the major reasons behind the availability of more power this year is contribution by the Yamunanagar thermal plant, besides an over all increase of around 15 per cent in the state’s generating stations from April to October.
In view of the ongoing kharif season, almost 46 per cent of the total electricity available was supplied to the agriculture sector.

Simultaneously, the Utilities also ensured maximum power supply to the domestic and non-domestic consumers during the festivals for which the distribution system was also strengthened by carrying out extensive maintenance of transformers, high tension/low tension lines etc.  

Due to the increase in the availability of power and maintenance of the distribution system, the Utilities were able to supply electricity in a more reliable manner, the spokesman said, adding that barring exceptions, the electricity was supplied as per schedule to the consumers of all categories.

Moreover, the morning peak load restrictions on industrial category of consumers had been withdrawn during the month of October. On an average, the Utilities imposed power regulations of 52 lakh units daily in October this year as compared to 108 lakh units regulations imposed during October, 2007.

He further stated that the Utilities plan to supply average 750 lakh units of electricity daily to the consumers during the month of November, 2008.

It would be ensured that the electricity is available to the consumers as per schedule, he added.

Ballbagarh, November 1
The authorities here have recommended 445 Dalit families and those falling in the BPL (Below Poverty Line) category for allotment of 100 sq yards under the Mahatma Gandhi Gramin Basti Yojna.

According to sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) H.C. Jain, the plots will be allotted by the end of this month.

The Haryana government had launched the scheme on October 2. As per the scheme, residential plots will be allotted free of cost.

According to sources, plots will be allotted to families in 11 villages, namely Atali, Maujpur, Suped, Jaikopur, Mohalla, Narad Tiagon, Khandwada, Ladauli, Aterna, Bahbalpur and Gudesa. Earlier, the state government had allotted lands to 25 families in Junehra village on October 2.

The government will set up colonies in villages as per the requirement, set up roads and other infrastructure.

The scheme is for Dalits and those falling in the BPL category.

Though the government has laid down certain parameters for the eligibility of family units to be covered under the scheme, many have made it to the eligibility criteria by forwarding fake documents.

Many have been trying to bring political pressure on the authorities to avail the benefits of the scheme.

There have been complaints that the sarpanches in collusion with political leaders and the authorities concerned have prepared faulty BPL list.

New Delhi, November 1
Social scientists and anthropologists have always believed that the human body is a profound and quintessential source of knowledge. In fact this interesting study started in the 16th century in the west and the next few eras essentially belong to the west.

An analysis of the historical approaches to body as a way to knowledge outlines the centrality of the human body for the scrutiny of diverse cultures.

Anthropologists feel that body depicts colonial power relations. The India of the 19th century was a horror battling with many stifling issues vis-à-vis gender iniquities, social stratification, reform movements, anglicised education, etc. Body emerged as a point of social emergence and fortification. “Colonialism is a cultural project when many cultures were contrasted, reconstructed and transformed—European and Asian, modern and ancient and west and the east,” said anthropology professor Rosa Perez of the ISCTE, Lisbon, today while speaking on “Body of Knowledge—European Experience and the Indian Imaginary in the 21st century,” at the India International Centre (IIC) Annexe in the Capital.

Social scientists say that the past descriptions of the body for exploring knowledge have been gendered. “The female body has been seen as the site of hegemonic representation,” said Rosa.

She added that there are many historical apparatus to that suggest a striking relation between the sense of individuality and bio-politics, which has been dissected from cultural specificity.

Setting up an imaginary conversation of cultures with Darwin and Bharata, Rukmini Bhaya Nair, head of humanities department of IIT, Delhi, highlighted the contrasting aspects in body language and the expression of emotions between the western and the oriental culture.

She enumerated the Raga theory of music and Rasa theory of Bharata. Rasa is performative and it is recreated through the language of performance. “Rasa has to be brought to life through bodily effects. It has to be created by enactment,” said Rukmini. She discussed some of the cultural interpretations and folk etymologies of rasa and raga from the contemporary perspective.

Meanwhile, today’s lecture was supposed to be the inaugural deliberation of the Eunic lecture series 2008—Instituto Camões or Camoens Institute, Portugal, organised jointly by the IIC and the European Union Institutes of Culture India (EUNIC).

New Delhi, November 1
Nursery admissions are on again as young parents queue up to make enquiries and get forms for their kids. The big surprise for both schools and parents this time round is that there are going to be no interviews, only an informal interaction is allowed as per guidelines issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE).

The guidelines issued by the DoE read, “The school shall not conduct any interview of, or interaction with the child for whom admission is being sought.

Similarly, the school shall not conduct any interview of/with the parent/guardian. However, the school can have an informal interaction with the parent in advance.”

The DoE has instructed all private recognized schools in Delhi to display the information related to admissions latest by November 30 on its notice board, website and prospectus giving complete details of the total number of seats available for admission in the pre-primary class, infrastructural facilities available, faculty details, fee structure and past performance of the school in fields such as academics, sports and cultural activities.

The schools have also been asked to use standardized registration forms, to be made available only from December 15 to December 31, and the filled-up forms should be submitted latest by January 7.

The first list of selected students and second list of waiting students should come out by February 1.

Further, the DoE has suggested the formation of an admission committee, comprising the school’s principal, headmaster of the primary section and two representatives from the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which will be formed to monitor the admission process. The committee will also address the complaints of parents and suggest remedial measures.

Sources within the DoE say, “Schools have been asked to develop and adopt a criterion for admissions which is clear, well-defined and unambiguous. We will adopt only those parameters which are in the best interest of children.”

A monitoring cell, under the chairmanship of the deputy director, will be constituted in every district to look into the complaints regarding the admission process. It will also conduct regular inspections in schools to ensure that the admission process is hassle-free, objective and transparent.

New Delhi, November 1
Get ready for chilly and misty mornings. The Indian capital is slowly turning colder and the nippy weather is here to stay, the met department said on Saturday.

“Due to the prevalence of northwesterly dry winds, the maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to fall in the coming days.

The chill in the mornings is likely to increase as the month progresses,” said an official of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

“On some occasions, mist and fog may occur in the morning,” the official added.

On Saturday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 17.5°, one degree above normal, and a maximum of 32.1° Celsius. On Sunday, the capital is likely to experience a minimum of 16° Celsius.

Meteorologists say during the first week of November, the minimum temperature would hover around 15° Celsius, nearly two degrees below normal.

IMD officials also said the capital city might experience some real chill after the third week of the month when the temperature is likely to drop below 10°.

IMD said this year there was no recordable rainfall over Delhi in October as against an average rainfall of around 26 mm at this time of the year. And this is also one of the reasons for the chill in the mornings.

The IMD official said temperatures were falling across northwest India. “The minimum temperatures have fallen by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius over northwest India.” — IANS

New Delhi, November 1
There were major differences among senior leaders of the BJP over the distribution of tickets for Delhi assembly elections. Hard-hitting arguments were heard in a meeting of the party’s election committee held at Delhi BJP office today. Later, national general secretary of the BJP, Vijay Goel, and another senior leader, O.P. Kohli, boycotted the meeting.

According to sources, the arguments were between Vijay Goel and Delhi BJP chief Harsh Vardhan over the selection of names for Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Matia Mahal and Okhla assembly constituencies. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, chief ministerial candidate of the party, was in support of Harsh Vardhan.

The sources said that Vijay Goel tabled Virender Babbar’s name for Matia Mahal, Parvin Jain for Chandni Chowk, Irfan for Okhla and Jaiprakash for Sadar Bazar constituencies. But Delhi BJP chief and Malhotra did not agree on these names.

To counter the candidates of Goel, Vardhan tabled Talat Sultana’s name for Matia Mahal, Parveen Khandelwal for Chandni Chowk, Surender Bidhuri for Okhla and Satish Jain for Sadar Bazar. These names were accepted by the election committee of the party consisting of 21 members, the sources added.

Talat Sultana is an ex-councillor from Matia Mahal and Parveen Khandelwal is general secretary of the All India Traders Federation. Talat’s names was proposed by Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, former cabinet minister when NDA was in power at centre, the sources said.

According to a senior BJP leader, Matia Mahal assembly constituency consists of four MCD wards – Turkman Gate, Bazaar Sita Ram, Kucha Pandit and Minto Road. The ratio of voters is 52 per cent Hindu and 48 per cent Muslim. Shoaib Iqbal, sitting MLA, is a candidate of Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, Mahmood Zia Goli is likely to be the Congress man. This will divide the Muslim votes. If the BJP fields a Hindu candidate, it may win.

As far as Okhla constituency is concerned, Parvez Hashmi, sitting MLA, is a candidate of the Congress, Brahm Singh Tanwar, a Gujjar, of the BSP. If the BJP gives ticket to any Hindu, particularly a Gujjar community member, Congress may become stronger.

Besides, a large number of BJP workers from Ambedkar Nagar, Okhla and a few other constituencies gathered in the Delhi BJP office and chanted slogans against its president and the party.

Nem Chand, a BJP worker from Ambedkar Nagar, said that Balmikis and people of Poorvanchal were in majority in the constituency. But Delhi BJP chief is proposing the name of a weak woman candidate. She is neither Balmiki nor Poorvanchali. The constituency is represented by Chaudhary Prem Singh, a Congress MLA. The BJP can win if a Balmiki is given ticket from Ambedkar Nagar, he said. 

New Delhi, November 1
Diabetes Kidney Patients Society in Association with the Jaipur Golden Hospital (JGH), Rohini, today organised a two-day diabetic health mela at Constitution Club which was inaugurated by former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja and member of Parliament Shahnawaz Hussain.

The hospital has set up a stall to provide free health check-up which included general check-up, ECG and cardiac consultation.

Dr D.K. Baluja, medical director, JGH, said that a very high percentage of India’s young population is suffering from diabetes and suggested that spreading awareness can go a long way in controlling the menace. “People who have family history of diabetes should have regular medical check-up and do some outdoor activity,” said Dr Baluja.