NEIGHBOURHOOD

Ensure drug-free society, says ex-SGPC chief
Tribune News Service

Rajpura, December 14
Red beacons on vehicles have become a common sight here as a number of people have installed red beacon atop their vehicles without having any authorisation.

Anyone who is a chairman of a committee or has a higher position in the Municipal Committee or is associated with some trust has installed a red beacon on his vehicle.

Though the use of red beacon on private vehicle is a punishable offence under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1989, however, police officials said that the use of red beacons was common these days.

Possibility of illegal activities in private vehicles with red beacon could not be ruled out as the police had recently arrested a gang of smugglers carrying large quantities of poppy husk in a Tata Sumo on which they had installed a blue beacon to get rid of any police checking.

The police officials on condition of anonymity said that the local leaders pressurise them to release such vehicles whenever they impound them.

Area residents of Rajpura town, including Naresh and Sudesh Kumar, alleged that not only the beacons but also use of pressure horns, sirens and black films had also been on the increase in the city.

“Only those who have been residing in the town for many years and have become a chairman or a president of a committee or trust have installed the red beacons by using their political connections”, said the police officials.

Traffic police in charge of Rajpura SI Roshan Lal when contacted said that they had been awarding challan’s to all those commuters who violate traffic rules, however, he said that cops had not seen any private vehicle fitted with a red beacon on Rajpura roads. He assured to challan all those private vehicles on which red beacons were installed against rules.

Kalka, December 14
Robbers decamped with Rs 1.35 lakh in cash from a hardware shop at Abdullapur on NH-22 in Pinjore yesterday evening. In a complaint filed with the local police, the shopowner, Ravinder Thakur, who is also heads the town’s INLD Beopar cell, alleged four men came in a Maruti Zen car from the direction of Panchkula and forcibly entered his shop, adding he was there at the time. He stated three of them began beating him and hit his head and legs with wooden rods.

Thakur said he managed to run out of the shop after suffering head injuries and was treated at the town’s primary health centre where he got seven stitches on his head. He said in attempting to protect him his two employees, Chander Bhan and Nagender, also sustained multiple injuries, adding the miscreants fled with Rs I.35 lakh in cash.

Local INLD leaders have expressed great resentment over the police’s role in the incident. They alleged the cops belated filed a case after arguing the area in which the robbery took place fell under the jurisdiction of the Kalka police.

Sources close to the Pinjore police said a case had been registered today and a special police team raided some areas of Panchkula in this context. 

Ropar, December 14
The court of district and sessions judge GK Dheer today awarded a 10-year rigorous imprisonment to two persons, including a Punjab police employee, in a murder case.

In his complaint lodged with the Morinda police, Narinder Singh, a Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) employee, stated that his father sarpanch Labh Singh was killed during a scuffle over rainwater drainage on September 20, 2008.

On the fateful day, Dalbir Singh, Jagtar Singh (both brothers) and Dalbir’s wife Baljit Kaur, all residents of Kainour village, picked up a fight with the sarpanch over rainwater drainage.

Complainant Narinder Singh has alleged that Dalbir, Jagtar and Baljit Kaur came in an ambassador with a blue beacon atop. As the argument heated up, Dalbir Singh hit on Labh’s head with a brick. When Labh’s son Narinder tried to intervene, the accused fled from the spot.

Investigation revealed that Baljit Kaur’s name was removed from the case and the challan filed in the court had the names of Dalbir and Jagtar as the main accused. While awarding the quantum of punishment, the judge observed that Dalbir Singh was the main accused. He has been sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000 has been imposed on him. Any failure in the payment of the fine lead to an extended imprisonment of one-and-a-half year. Jagtar too has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and fined Rs 2,500. 

Patiala, December 14“To spread a splash of colours, Punjabi University, Patiala, will soon develop a “flower valley” on its campus exhibiting a large variety of seasonal flowers. This will be done with the purpose of adding more beauty to the environment and aesthetic ambience of the university”. This was stated by Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh, while distributing prizes to the winners in various categories of the “Chrysanthemum Flower Show”, organised by the university’s construction wing here today.

Singh asked Chief Engineer AJS Sandhu, who played instrumental role in organising first-of-its-kind flower show on the university campus, to identify 4-5 acre of land to be reserved for developing a flower valley.

According to Sandhu, more than 350 entries were received in 45 categories of Chrysanthemum in the individual and institutional sections. Another flower show on a bigger scale will be organised in February next year, Sandhu said. Ramesh Kumar (Babu Singh Colony, Patiala) and Mann Chand (Baradari Gardens, Patiala) won maximum number of prizes in the individual section. In the institutional category, Qutbanpur Nursery and NIS, Patiala, bagged maximum number of prizes. 

Chandigarh, December 14
Following the submission of the chargesheet in the Nari Niketan rape case, the court will frame charges against all the four accused on January 8.

While the police is yet to file a challan against the fifth accused, Vijender, who was arrested on November 4, sources claimed that a supplementary challan will be filed against him soon.

Meanwhile, Maya, one of the two female abettors of the crime, today moved a bail plea in the court. The court has fixed December 21 for the hearing the application.

The victim, a mentally challenged girl, had given birth to a baby girl on December 4 after the apex court gave its verdict against the abortion of the mentally challenged rape victim on July 21.

The pregnancy of the girl had sparked off a row with a divided public opinion on whether she should undergo abortion or not.

On August 13, the police had filed a 499-page chargesheet in the case. The chargesheet was submitted in the court of Judicial Magistrate Anshul Berry on the basis of circumstantial proofs, documents, statement of the accused and witnesses and the proof collected in the course of the investigation.

The chargsheet had names of the four accused, including Bhupinder Singh and Jammna Dass, and for abetting rape against Maya and Kamla.

The police had slapped Section 376 (g) and 120-B of the IPC against the accused. According to it, Bhupinder, a security guard at Nari Niketan in Sector 26, had raped the 19-year-old mentally challenged girl in March. Her medical examination confirmed pregnancy on May 16.

Jammna Dass (52), an ex-serviceman and one of the accused, was working as a watchman in Nari Niketan. About the role of Maya, a nurse attendant, the police said she was instrumental and abetted the crime by helping Jammna Dass. She was also accused of destroying crucial evidence by tearing off a register’s page, in which the record of the menstrual cycle of every inmate was maintained.

The police charged Kamla with abetting the crime by taking the victim to Bhupinder. The victim was shifted to Aashreya in March, where she complained of abdominal pain, which ultimately led to the detection of the heinous crime.

Investigation later got embroiled in rigmarole between the Nari Niketan and the Aashreya authorities on the issue of where the alleged crime had taken place. The count of days from the detection of pregnancy had created the confusion. The matter subsequently reached the High Court after the UT authorities decided to seek approval for the medical termination of pregnancy of the victim.

Panchkula, December 14
In a reverse case of sorts, a man has sought registration of a case under Section 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, against his in-laws. The applicant, Guarav Mangla, a resident of Sector 9, and accused of seeking dowry, has alleged that his in-laws had given him dowry against his wishes and later implicated him in a dowry harassment case.

On May 24, the police had booked Gaurav, along with his father and sister, for beating up Anu Bala, Gaurav’s wife, for not bringing enough dowry and confining her. Anu Bala, however, reportedly escaped from the house and went to her relatives house, who later got her admitted to a hospital in Sector 6.

In her complaint lodged with the police, Anu alleged that her husband Gaurav Mangla and his father Manjit Kumar Mangla thrashed her and attempted to kill her for not bringing enough dowry.

They even forced her to write a suicide note mentioning that no one should be harassed after her death.

Her sister-in-law Lilly, who is married at Vrindavan, used to instigate her in-laws, she added.

Following Anu’s complaint, the police has booked all three accused under Sections 498, 323, 506 and 342 for demanding dowry, wrongful confinement and causing injury.

Anu’s family claimed that they had spent around Rs 20 lakh on her wedding.

Gaurav in his application stated that at the time of marriage on August 31 last year he had made it clear that he would not accept dowry. In spite of this, his in-laws had sent jewellery, clothes and other household articles to his house No. 596, Sector 9.

He further stated that with the passage of time, his wife accused him and his family of demanding dowry.

Judicial Magistrate Anupmish Modi after hearing the arguments, directed the police to look into the matter and submit the report by January 25.

Panchkula, December 14
A local court has framed charges against four accused — Ashok Kumar, Sanjay Kumar, Sonu and Robin Khan (name changed as accused is juvenile) — under Section 302 of IPC for killing a financier, Vinod Mittal, and his four-year-old son, Yashan Mittal.

Charges under Section 120-B of the IPC for criminal conspiracy were also framed against Neeru Bain, moher-in-law of the main accused, Raju, and uncle Krishan Lal. The main accused, Raju, and his wife, Shilpi, are still at large.

It was on February 28 when the police had arrested the four accused for murdering the financier and his son.

The accused allegedly stabbed Vinod and threw his body along with Yashan (alive) in a canal near Rajpura. On the fateful night, Mittal along with his son Yashan went to meet Raju at Bartana where he along with his accomplices killed Vinod and later threw the body along with Yashan in the canal.

Chandigarh, December 14
Less than a month after the Punjab and Haryana High Court asked advocates to be above board, it has asserted that the courts need to ensure that advocates exceeding their role as professionals are brought to justice.

The assertion follows an anticipatory bail petition by Chandigarh resident O.P. Mittal in the “Sector 20 NRI property case”.

The complainant in the case had alleged that his property was sold “behind his back by land mafia and in connivance with advocates with the estate officers on the basis of an attorney, which did not contain any authorisation to sell a shop-cum-flat”.

Declining the plea, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “The case appears to be having some larger ramification, where properties of NRI are being grabbed in unfair and illegal manner. Counsel would join hands in such like frauds would be a matter of regret, but certainly would be a cause for this court to ensure that even they are also brought to justice in case they have exceeded their role as a professional and have connived in the commission of any fraud or offence”.

The Judge asserted: “About a special position of an advocate, it is observed that counsel has a tripartite relationship; one with the public, another with the court and third with his client. This is a unique feature. Other professionals or callings may include one or two of these relationships, but no other has the triple duty. Counsel's duty to the public is unique. In that he has to accept all works from all clients in courts in which he holds himself out as practising, however, unattractive the case of the client. It is, thus, seen that the counsel, who appears before the court, not only owes duty to his client, but he has a duty towards public and more importantly towards the court.”

“Can we then expect an advocate to behave in a manner to join hands with parties to commit fraud. If he does so, should not he face the rigors of law with some added concern compared to an individual, who otherwise is a litigant before the court? If counsel decides to join hands to commit crime, that would be rather sad day for administration of justice”.

“Before parting, the Judge directed the investigating agency to bring to justice all persons involved in the case, ‘even if they happen to be a counsel of any prominence”. 

Panchkula, December 14
A couple from Yamuna Nagar fell victim to tricksters, who robbed them of jewellery and cash worth Rs 5 lakh here today.

Puneet Vashisht, a Yamuna Nagar-based businessman, alleged that he had gone to Nohria Nursing Home at Sector 8 with his wife and child, when one of the tricksters told him that oil was leaking from the engine of his car and as soon as Puneet opened the bonnet of his car, tricksters decamped with a bag lying in the car and fled from the spot.

The bag contained Rs 15,000 in cash, two gold sets, one diamond set, gold rings, and bangles.

Puneet stays with his in-laws at the army flats in Mansa Devi Complex.“It was around 12.30 pm when my wife went inside the nursing home and I was having a glass of juice outside the hospital where my car was parked. One of the tricksters came to me and said some oil was leaking from my car’s engine. As I opened the bonnet, tricksters made away with the cash,” said Puneet.

A case of cheating and theft has been registered against the two accused.

After sometime he heard his daughter crying and immediately reached the spot and found his daughter wounded. The accused was nabbed by the father and handed over to the police, he added. The minor girl was admitted at Dera Bassi Civil Hospital for treatment and her medical test would be conducted tomorrow, the police said. — TNS

Zirakpur, December 14
Two unidentified motorcycle-borne youths broke open the dickey of a scooter and fled with Rs 17,000 from the Zirakpur market.

According to information, Sharbari Begum, a resident of Pabhat village, informed the police that she withdrew Rs 25,000 from a bank for her daughter’s marriage. She said after paying Rs 8,000 to a shopkeeper, her son kept Rs 17,000 in a scooter dickey.

They went to another shop to buy utensils.

When she was standing outside the shop, she saw two youths coming on a mobike.

One of them broke open the scooter dickey and took cash and a passbook. She raised the alarm but the youths managed to flee.

The Zirakpur SHO said a case had been registered.

Last month too, two unidentified motorcycle-borne youths snatched Rs 50,000 from Har Kaur, a resident of Singhpura village, on the Zirakpur-Chandigarh highway. 

Patiala, December 14
Maintaining their supremacy, GSSDSS Khalsa College, Patiala, lads won the Inter-College Handball Championship (Men) for the 10th consecutive year. The tournament began on December 12 and concluded at Khalsa College here today.

Public College, Samana, stood second, Akal Degree College of Physical Education, Mastwana Sahib, bagged the third position and Punjabi University, Patiala, lads won the fourth place.

The tournament was inaugurated by Dr Rajkumar Sharma, director sports, Punjabi University, and

principal Mata Gujri College, Dr Jeetinder Singh, who is also chairman of selection committee of men handball, gave away prizes to the winners. Addressing sportspersons during the closing ceremony, Dr Jeetinder said it was important to develop sportsman spirit because it helped a player to better his game and the overall personality.

Principal Khalsa College, Dr Dharminder Singh Ubha, congratulated all participating teams and motivated them to continue the great work.

He gave credit to their coach, Prof Gursharan Singh Gill, who also trained the university teams for the All-India Inter-University Championships.

Chandigarh, December 14
An all-round performance by Ankur (52, 4 for 14) enabled Little Flower Convent School, Panchkula, to beat Holy Child School, Panchkula, by 35 runs in the Bhavan Blaster Trophy for U-10 being played at Bhavan Vidyalaya School, Panchkula.

Little Flower got to a flyer, as both of their openers Ankur (52) and Saksham (35) played brilliantly.

Ankur showed a fine batting display by playing straight drives flawlessly. He gave spectators a delightful stroke play. His innings had seven boundaries and two sixes and was ably supported by Saksham, who played an elegant innings and hit six boundaries. Their partnership came to an end after Bharat took two wickets in his very first over. Aishal (15) hit two sixes but got out to cheap shot selection.

Thereafter, Little Flower innings tumbled, as none of the batsmen could stay on wicket and all this happened due to tight and accurate spin bowling by Deepanshu, who took four wickets. Nitin (18) and Srijan (10) tried to increase the score, but Little Flower made 150 runs in 20 overs.

Chasing the target, Holy Child lost their first wicket with just 20 runs on board. Rahul (55) entered the ground with devastating mood, as he hit 30 runs. He was ruthless to all bowlers hitting everything and anything in his zone. At that time Little Flower skipper introduced leg spinner Ankur, who showed his class holding his nerves. His big turning balls halted Rahul’s run rate and in a bid to score runs, he was bowled out. Once he departed, none other batsmen understood how to face Ankur's bowling. The team was all out for 115 in 15 overs.

Brief scores: Little Flower 150 for 9 in 20 overs (Ankur 52, Saksham 35, Aishal 15, Deepanshu 4 For 25, Bharat 2 For 30 and Ishank 2 for 29);

Holy Child School: 115 all out in 15 overs (Rahul 55, Deepanshu 12, Gaurav 10, Ankur 4 For 14, Lavanaya 3 For 10 and Ronit 1 for 20).

Ankur was adjudged man of the match. 

Panchkula, December 14
It was Sharmila Nicollet all the way. This 18-year-old big-hitter from Bangalore overcame an overnight two-stroke deficit to post her second professional golf title of her career, defeating Nalini Singh Siwach in a nail-biting finish at the Panchkula Golf Club here today.

This was the second time in a week that Sharmila collected the first prize money cheque of Rs 50,468, winning the fourth leg of the Women's Professional Golf Tour at 11 over 227.

The win came barely four days after her third leg triumph in Chandigarh. Finishing one stroke behind at 228 was Nalini, who pocketed Rs 30,468. Chandigarh’s big-hitter Saaniya Sharma played a two over 74 card to finish another two strokes behind at 230 to take home Rs 20,470.

Overnight leader Nalini Singh Siwach kept her cool after bogeying the first to be one over 37 at the turn.

Sharmila double-bogeyed the third and was trailing the leader by three strokes at the turn.

The last seven holes in the back nine saw the fortunes changing gradually. Nalini made three putts on the par-5 12th.

The two played bogeys on the 14th for the margin to remain two strokes. Sharmila sank a birdie on the 16th to crawl closer to the leader.

She played a par against Nalini’s bogey on the 17th to be tied at the same score. Nalini met her waterloo on the 18th, when she hit a fairway bunker and was unable to match Sharmila's par on the last hole, thus losing the title by one stroke.

Saaniya Sharma came back with an even par 36 back nine to share the day’s best card of two over 74 with Sharmila Nicollet. With two more legs to go in the Rs 10 lakh six-leg tour, the Chandigarh girl is sure to prove her mettle.

Noida-based professional Nalini Singh played a five over 77 card to occupy the fourth slot at 240, a good 10 strokes behind Saaniya.

Scores: 227 Sharmila Nicollet (74-79-74); 228 Nalini Singh Siwach (78-73-77); 230 Saaniya Sharma (787-78-74); 240 Nalini Singh (82-81-77); 244 Preetinder Kaur
(81-83-80); 255 Nikki Ponappa (85-90-80) and 265 Pallavi Jain (89-86-90).