NEIGHBOURHOOD

Widow’s 10-yr fight for justice
Hemant Kumar

Ambala, November 10
The Ambala Cantt sadar police has registered a case against an unknown person for demanding a ransom of Rs 25 lakh from a businessman 
here today.

According to the information, Vinod Gupta who runs a grocery shop at Pul Chameli in Ambala Cantonment, in his complaint said that last evening he had received a phone call from Merut at his residence. He said the person had threatened him to pay Rs 25 lakh or he had to face dire consequences. Gupta said the ransom seeker told him that he was speaking from the central jail, Merut.

The police had registered a case against an unknown person in this regard and was looking for the ransom seeker.

Last year, too, a gangster had demanded Rs 10 lakh from a businessman of Ambala Cantt. Later the police identified the ransom seeker and a case was registered against him.

A few months back a prisoner lodged in Ambala jail had also demanded Rs 50 lakh as ransom from an accused of kidney scam lodged in the same jail.

The police has provided a security guard to Gupta.

Kharar, November 10
Two people, including an eight-year-old child, were killed in different incidents.

Eight years old Sanjiv Kumar, a resident of Mata Gujri Enclave, was playing on road in front of his house when a tractor trolley over ran him. The child’s legs were crushed in the accident. He was rushed to the Kharar civil hospital and later referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. He died at the PGI under treatment. The driver of tractor trolley is absconding.

In the second incident, Mohinder Pal and Surinder Pal, both residents of Adarsh Nagar, Mundi Kharar, were crossing the road opposite Sunny Enclave at around 11.15 pm last night.

A jeep coming from Chandigarh hit the scooter. Mohinder Pal died on the spot, while Surinder was admitted to the PGI, Chandigarh, where his condition was stated to be serious.

The driver of jeep, identified as Vijay Kumar, resident of Naina Tikkar, district Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, is absconding.

Patiala, November 10
Dr P.P.S. Cooner, joint director, Medical Education (Punjab) today inspected the Rajindra Hospital and visited the facility block provided to the patients suffering from dengue fever.

Accompanied by medical superintendent Surinder Singh and Dr Rajinder Singh Gupta, professor of medicines and in-charge of dengue ward, Dr Cooner inquired about the welfare of patients suffering from dengue. He also found the treatment provided to them satisfactory.

Dr Gupta informed that so far 162 patients suffering from dengue were treated in the hospital and all have been discharged except one who was admitted in a critical condition. As per directions of medical education minister Tikshan Sood, all dengue patients are being treated free of cost. All diagnostic facilities are available in the hospital to treat the dengue patients and this hospital is also the nodal centre for of its surrounding areas.

A meeting of the health officials was also held in which it was decided that epidemiological research should be undertaken in respect of those patients who have been admitted in the hospital. In this regard, all departments of Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital were directed to work together and do necessary work so that the people of the area were told of preventive measure and precautions. A daily report about the patients suffering from the dengue fever of this hospital is being sent to the higher authorities for information.

Patiala, November 10
Young medium pacer Sahil Verma bowled a tight spell to claim 5 for 3 and his effort enabled Saurab cricket club, Patiala, to beat Abhijit cricket club, Ambala, by 32 runs in the final of the Billu memorial cricket tournament for under-13 boys, which concluded at the Army club grounds here today.

Scores:

Saurabh cricket club: 122 all out (Dhruv Verma 22 n.o, Varun Singla 16, Saurabh Chopra 14 n.o, Vibhor 3 for 10, Abhijit 2 for 13)

Abhijit cricket club: 90 all out ( Kashish 37, Abhijit 10, Sahil Verma 5 for 3, Varun Singla 4 for 20).

Ropar, November 10
More than 70 per cent farmers in Punjab are landless and these small farmers can increase their income five times by adopting crop diversification and leaving behind traditional wheat-paddy crop circle, Dr B.S. Chahal, Adviser Punjab State Farmer Commission, said this during a seminar on rural self-employment. He also suggested that after training at Krishi Vigyan Kendras under textile embroidery, food processing and horticulture etc the villagers could earn their livelihood. Experts from industry department, khadi board, dairy department and horticulture department explained various schemes and loan subsidies.

The forms of interested farmers were also filled on the spot by the departments concerned. S.P. Attri, joint director, Industry Department and P.K. Goyal, state organiser, Punjab Khadi and Rural Industry taught villagers about small scale projects and also about marketing of ready products.

Dr S.C. Aneja, deputy director (retd), dairy development department, Punjab, told about the upcoming dairy development projects of the Punjab government.

Founder and trustee member Kulwinder Gurcharan Singh, assured help to the villagers starting from filling forms to taking loans and also practical implementation of schemes.

Institute chairman G.S. Chahal, said in addition to these schemes institute would also be introducing a 24-hour mobile veterinary van for adjoining villages.

Chandigarh, November 10
The functioning of Nari Niketan-26 has come under the scanner of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Taking cognizance of a communiqué addressed to the court on the plight of a “mentally upset girl”, a bench of Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice Jasbir Singh made it clear that conditions at the Nari Niketan were apparently “not good”.

Treating the matter as a public interest litigation, the court observed: “From the reading of the petition received by the post, one gets the impression that the conditions in Nari Niketan, Sector 26, Chandigarh, are not at all good. The matter may require judicial intervention to ensure that incidents reported in the petition are not repeated in the future.”

Taking up the petition, the bench today issued a notice of motion to the UT administration and other respondents for December 16.

In the letter, it was stated that on October 20, a mentally upset girl sustained injuries after a nurse thrashed her with iron rods. Since then, the girl has refused to take food.

Chandigarh, November 10
Taking up a petition filed by the mother of a Panchkula schoolgirl who was allegedly gangraped, blackmailed and tortured, Justice Pritam Pal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued a notice of motion for December 3 to the state of Haryana, the state police chief and other respondents.

The petitioner is seeking directions for a probe by the criminal investigating agency (CIA) or the crime branch into the entire episode. She has claimed that her daughter has not been going to the school since the incident became public and was living under constant fear due to threats being conveyed through the SMS.

The petitioner also accused the police of suppressing facts and presenting those in a distorted manner after the matter was widely reported in the media. She said her daughter had been subjected to indignity for over a year now at the hands of the accused, who happened to be the sons of influential persons.

She also alleged that initially the police, including the investigating officer, was unwilling to take cognizance of the matter, which had been on since July last year when her daughter first went with her friend Chhavi in a car where the accused were also seated.

The petitioner also annexed a copy of the detailed application sent to the state police chief on October 20 seeking a probe and ensuring the safety of her family.

She further stated that the reason behind police inaction was the influence wielded by the families of the accused, including that of Chhavi whose father was close to the local MLA. The families of the accused were highly connected and resourceful, the petitioner said, adding that the accused threatened her daughter with circulating her nude MMS taken last year with a mobile phone camera.

Panchkula, November 10
Even as Chunky, the “missing link” in the alleged gangrape case of a minor, failed to appear before the police after a 10-day notice period served upon him ended today, the police has started exploring other options.

“It seems he is not willing to join the investigations and the police can proceed to obtain his arrest warrants from the court,” the DSP, R.C. Rathi, said.

Though Chunky was not an accused in the case, but his name figures in the call details which suggested that he was in contact with the girl before and after the incident, the DSP said.

A police official, on the condition of anonymity, said one of the accused, Jitesh, named him during his interrogation, saying that Chunky was the only one who was with the girl on that night. The police had questioned Chunky, but had to let him off as the complainant denied his involvement in the case, sources said.

Meanwhile, the hearing on the anticipatory bail of Kushal has been deferred for tomorrow. The victim in her complaint to the police had alleged that Kushal, along with Jitesh and Chhavi, took her till the Tribune chowk in Chandigarh, from where they went to somewhere in Punjab.

On September 13, three days before the incident, Kushal was involved in a fight between two groups at the school where the girl was studying.

Ramesh, brother of Chunky, said Chunky went to the school on September 13 in the evening. He wanted to learn judo. The girl also used to go there for judo. He had a tiff with a boy when he was talking with her and he thrashed Chunky, injuring him on the cheek. “We reached there and thrashed the other group, but fled after some friends of the other group arrived in a car, Ramesh said.

Panchkula, November 10
A septuagenarian from Pinjore, who killed his wife on March 19, has died while under judicial custody in Ambala jail. The jail superintendent here presented a report in this regard before Additional Sessions Judge Sanjiv Jindal here today.

Public prosecutor N.K. Goel said the proceedings in the case have been dropped after the submission of the report stating that Babu Ram, who was suffering from asthma and other ailments, died on November 3 at the civil hospital, Ambala.

Babu Ram, suspecting the character of his wife Surinder Kaur, allegedly killed her with an axe on the night of March 19.

The Pinjore police claimed at that time Babu Ram (72) had a heated argument with his wife at around 11 pm and in a fit of rage attacked her with an axe, killing her on the spot. The police also said Babu Ram, a resident of Main Bazar, was a drunkard and used to suspect the character of Surinder Kaur who was his second wife.

He was under the influence of liquor at the time of the incident. Surinder Kaur was about 60 years old and had four children from the accused.

Chandigarh, November 10
Additional district and sessions judge R.S. Attri convicted a Sector-38 resident of abetting suicide at the district courts today. However, the mother of the accused was acquitted in the case. The quantum on sentence will be pronounced on November 12.

According to the prosecution, the victim had committed suicide on June 1, 2005. The couple had married in 1998 and had strained relationship.

The victim had tried to commit suicide in 2000 also. The couple had a daughter who supported the prosecution.

The case was registered on the complaint of the victim’s father, Jagannath.

Chandigarh, November 10
The police has arrested Gulab Singh Thakur, an employee of a Sector 34-based private management services company, for his involvement in credit card fraud after he duped his company to the tune of Rs 2.2 crore.

According to sources in the economic offences wing (EOW) of the Chandigarh police, a case of cheating, misappropriation, forgery and criminal conspiracy was registered against the accused on a complaint lodged by representatives of his company, M/S G.E. Capital Business Process Management Services Private Limited, branch office Sector 34, on August 21.

Describing the modus operandi, DSP (EOW) Baljit Singh Chadda said Thakur was the operational executive in the company. The company was the authorised collection agent of credit card and loan amounts for State Bank of India. Thakur used to collect amounts from customers of the bank and in connivance with several people used to keep some of the amount by forging demand drafts.

The DSP said Thakur would take the amount and later make demand drafts in the name of his accomplices, who would cash the drafts.

He defrauded his company and the bank by not revealing the names of all customers and embezzled huge amounts. He was considered as a trusted employee of the company.

Sources said the company alleged that he had committed fraud to the tune of Rs 2.2 crore.

The investigating officials inquired the matter thoroughly and registered a case.

Thakur remained elusive to the police for over two months before he was finally caught on Sunday.

He was today produced before a local court, which remanded him in one-day police custody.

The police said during preliminary interrogation, Thakur said around 40 persons were involved in the fraud. The accused lives in Sector 44 along with his family and was arrested from there. The police had taken him along while conducting raids to nab other suspects.

Chandigarh, November 10
Harbans Lal, a 42-year-old labourer, ended his life by reportedly setting himself ablaze at his rented accommodation at Darua village, here this morning.

Though no suicide not was recovered from the scene, the police termed it a case of suicide as the reason behind the incident was yet to be ascertained.

According to the police, the incident came to light when neighbours noticed smoke coming out of the house.

They entered the room and found the victim engulfed in flames. By the time people doused the flames, the victim was badly burnt.

The police said the victim had been working in a private factory in Phase II, Industrial Area, for the past six years. He was said to be an alcoholic and used to remain absent from work for days.

His family lives at his native village in Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. The call details of his mobile revealed that he had made the last call to his wife at 11 pm yesterday.

The police contacted her and informed her about the incident. She told the police that her husband told her that he was under depression and was afraid.

The police has ruled out any foul play behind the death and shifted the body to the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 16, for a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, the police has initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code in this connection. 

Chandigarh, November 10
The police yesterday arrested Ashok Kumar alias Vicky, a resident of Dhanas, from Sector 15 and seized 2 gm smack from his possession.

Chandigarh, November 10
The New Public School, Sector 18, boys as well as girls emerged winners in the Rao Jai Singh (boys) and Shanta H Singh (girls) Memorial Basketball Tournament, which concluded at the NPS courts here today.

In the girls category, NP School lifted the Shanta H Singh Trophy at the expense of Government Girls Senior Secondary School of Giddarbha by 46-32.

It was a team effort, which helped NPS to clinch girls crown, Varsha held the spotlight with 20 points. She was well supported by Amandeep (10) and Smiti (10). Neha converted two three-pointer for her six points.

The NPS boys were fired up today against Budha Dal Public School. The NPS trio of Balraj Singh, Sartaj Singh and Parveen paved the way for their team to emerge victorious.

On the other hand, the Budha Dal boys took time to settle down. After losing the first quarter by 16-26, they bounced into the game. Trading basket for basket, the Patiala school boys went down fighting by just one point (20-21) in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, NPS struggled to win in by 20-17. At the end, NPS led by 67-53. The fourth quarter belonged to Budha Dal Public School, that they won by 22-12. 

Chandigarh, November 10
Jeev Milkha Singh played a one over par 37 back nine carding a par 72 to finish tied 28th in the $ 50 lakh HSBC Champions Asian Tour event at Shanghai in China today.

Jeev, who had fought back to tied 24th place after a one under first nine of the fourth round

yesterday, resumed with a birdie on the 11th this morning. He bogeyed the 13th and came back with a birdie on the very next hole. He played bogeys on the 15th and 17th for a par 72 card to finish at one under par 287 (70-71-74-72). His tied 28th finish fetched him a prize money of $ 23,112.

SSP Chowrasia, the only other Indian in the fray, played a miserable 10 over 82 to finish tied 68 at 18 over par 306 (76-72-76-82) and pocketed a prize money of $ 3,675.

Spanish sensation Sergio Garcia emerged victorious to occupy the world number two spot behind Tiger Woods in the world ranking. Garcia savoured his Shanghai success at the Sheshan International Golf Club, when he edged past England’s Oliver Wilson in a gripping play-off at the second play-off hole.

The Spaniard had started the final day two shots behind Wilson but charged back into contention with a final four-under-par 68. Wilson, then posted a 70 for both players to finish on matching 274s, forcing play to go into a play-off in the rain-delayed event.

Both Garcia and Wilson posted even-par on the first play-off hole and when Wilson missed a 10-footer putt for birdie on the second play-off hole, it was left to Garcia to sink his own seven-foot birdie putt from the fringe of the 18th green.

The Spaniard then watched in delight when his putt sailed into the cup, sealing his win in an event where it was always going to a close call to determine the winner, given the quality of players competing.

“I think my next goal is to try and win a major. I’ve been trying for quite a while, but winning a major would be the next goal,” said the new world number two, who also takes home the winner’s prize cheque of $833,300.

Former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy of Australia posted a final round 70 for a 275 total to share third place with Peter Hanson of Sweden while fellow Swede Henrik Stenson, who had earlier taken the first and second round lead, is in fifth place on 277.

Mohali, November 10
The deadly bowling performance of duo Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma in the recent Border-Gavaskar trophy has certainly made it tough for the pacers, who are eying to make it to the Indian cricket team, feels Manpreet Gony.

“Their bowling combination has done wonders against the world champions which is good for the team, however, it has also set high standards for the nascent pace bowlers,” said Gony, who held the spotlight when he was drafted into the Indian Cricket team for the Tri-Nation Series in Bangladesh.

The tall and well-built medium pacer, Gony, who presently plays for Punjab cricket team in the Ranji Trophy and Chennai Super Stars in the Indian Premier League (IPL), is pining hopes to make his comeback in the national team by performing well in the domestic circuit.

“I am just concentrating on the Ranji trophy and not on the national team as I know performing well will itself pave my way to the Indian team,” he said.

The pacer is a part of the Panjab cricket squad, which is taking on Rajasthan in the Ranji trophy that kick started here today at PCA stadium. He said, “I am trying to bowl near the wickets that is very useful in the long version of the game.” 

Chandigarh, November 10
Harjinder Singh Kang will defend his title when a host of amateurs from all over the country tee off on the par-72 greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club for the LG Samarvir Sahi Amateur Golf Championship here tomorrow.

The tournament will see a strong field of old hands and young guns slug it out once again for the LG Order of Merit title of the Amateur tour.

Kang, who won the title last year, is an experienced player on the circuit. He will be looking to defend his title this year but should expect a stiff challenge from the young players on the tour.

With the best amateurs from all over on show, the stage seems set for some thrilling action in Chandigarh.

Delhi’s Rashid Khan is all set to continue his strong run that saw him win the LG Golden Greens Amateur and the LG Northern India Amateur easily.

But local lad Rahul Bakshi, who is just back after winning the under-18 title in the Faldo Series at Brazil, will be missing from the contest. The 18-year-old who came very near to clinching the overall Faldo title, is busy with the 10-plus-two terminal examinations of Sector 15 DAV Public School here.

Though the amateur list is headed by Gagan Verma, young Rashid Khan has quickly moved up the list despite not having played nine tournaments on the national tour.

After the LG Golden Greens Amateur, few players have had the opportunity to compete in some important tournaments starting with the Indian Open where Moin Malak won the best amateur title while Gagan Verma, Rashid Khan and Saurabh Bahuguna represented India at the Eisenhower trophy. They finished their campaign in Australia with the best ever finish for an Indian contingent.

Right after that Rashid and Rahul Bakshi represented India at the Faldo series grand finals in Brazil where Rahul won in the under-18 category and finished fourth 
overall.

This tournament is an important stop on the tour calendar, played each year in the memory of Chandigarh golfer Samarvir Sahi. He was a contemporary of Jeev Milkha Singh and was considered a very bright prospect but unfortunately lost his life to cancer.

In his honour, the Chandigarh Golf Club has instituted this event and the tournament is held in high regard by the players.

Tournament Committee chairman TPS Virk said the prequalifying event being held today would cut down the entries from 140 to 81, which would finally tee off for the Amateur Tour title tomorrow.