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Power woes add to winter chill
Power rollback neither victory nor defeat: BJP
Allow SGPC to preserve Sikh shrines in B’desh, Hasina urged |
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Pak boy enters India carrying chemistry book, Rs 10
PAU-201
Nagar Council Poll
Use of Punjabi distant dream in public offices
Probe sought into teacher’s death
Now, IGP to probe custodial death case
AG favours maternity benefits for contractual employees
Woman donates deceased son’s eyes
Laying of Bitumen
State to become ‘hot spot’ for investors
‘China, Pak biggest external threats’
Minor cancer patient needs help
Punjabi journalism thrives in Canada
Benipal Case
Kothari Panel
Murder of DGP’s Father
Saini under scanner
50-yr-old man kills ‘beloved’, arrested
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Power woes add to winter chill
Jalandhar, January 12 In a freezing cold weather, the life is made more miserable by the power cuts. Obviously, the PSEB is facing power shortage even in winters. Recently, it had announced a power supply schedule for the farm sector. However, sources said the farm sector did not need much power supply at this stage. Most of the area is covered under wheat in the state. Though the cold has further tightened its grip over the region, the state government has not made any arrangement for the homeless people who sleep in open verandas. During the past few days, three persons died because of the cold. Reports of deaths owing to cold have also come from other parts of the state. The government should have at least provided shelter to such people at some community places. Besides the government, the voluntary organisations have also not shown an enthusiasm this time to distribute warm clothes among poor homeless people. Neither Red Cross authorities have shown such inclination. Meanwhile, agriculture officials said they were expecting rain in next two days. “There was a need to irrigate the crops with long roots. Thus, rain at this stage would prove useful,” said Balwinder Singh Sidhu, director, Agriculture, Punjab. He said the cloudy weather accompanied by extreme cold conditions had not caused any damage to the Rabi crops so far. He said, however, the persistence of such weather for a few more days would not be conducive for the Rabi crop. With the prolonged cloudy weather conditions, the process of the photosynthesis among plants is affected. “Sunlight for a few hours in a day would be good for crops,” said Sidhu. “We hope the weather would open up in next few days,” he added. Cold conditions are considered for the wheat crop. But extreme cold weather is considered harmful for mustard crop. Low temperature is also good for fruits such as kinnow.
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Power rollback neither victory nor defeat: BJP
Ludhiana, January 12 In an interview with The Tribune here today Bhandari said 100 per cent rollback for the domestic consumers was for all segments of the state while the industry and commercial consumers would have 50 per cent rollback. Bhandari said the working of three years between the Akali Dal and the BJP had been smooth and there was no stress and tension. “We want that during the remaining period of the government, we should come upto the expectations of the people at large. The state is facing financial crunch and we need to push the financial reforms.” He refused to comment if there would be burden on the people during the next two years. Asked about the demand for the post of Deputy Chief Minister for the BJP in the state cabinet, the BJP chief said this was not a demand. “As a matter of fact, there is no demand for the deputy chief ministership. I agree that as a junior partner, we have the right to get the post of deputy chief minister,” he added. When asked about the loss of the BJP in urban areas due to its failure to effectively act for the rights of the urbanites, Bhandari said, “If we look at the parliamentary election results, urban population in urban areas and semi-urban constituencies, both the SAD and the BJP are getting alienated. We need to address the problems of these areas. Electricity rollback is one such measure.” Regarding the demand for reallocation of portfolios Bhandari did not come out openly. But felt that three years had passed and there should be rethinking on the reallocation of portfolios. This was not a issue with the BJP. However, this issue did come up during the discussions with the chief minister and his son during the talks on the power rollback issue.
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Allow SGPC to preserve Sikh shrines in B’desh, Hasina urged
Amritsar January 12 Meanwhile, condemning the action of Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC-Adhoc) chief Jagdish Singh Jhinda and his associates who had allegedly “misbehaved” with the SGPC chief during his recent Karnal visit, Gurmat Sidhant Parcharak Sant Samaj chief Harnam Singh has said by resorting to such an act Jhinda and his associates had tried to divide Sikhs. The SGPC chief has appealed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was currently on a state visit to India, to allow the “Sambh Sambhal” (care taking) of the seven historic Sikh shrines as these buildings were facing extinction owing to absence of proper maintenance. After the 1971 war, then Bangladesh leader Muijb-ur-Rehman had thrown a party in honour of legendary General Jagjit Singh Arora after Bangladesh turned into an independent country following the war. Mujib-ur-Rehman, according to the SGPC chief, had promised General Arora that his government will be handed over to Sikhs. Since there was no Sikh in Bangladesh at that time, some Sikhs were taken from New Delhi and a board was formed to run the Sikh shrines as per the Sikh rituals. But, shortly after that the board had turned defunct. “After this, with the efforts of the SGPC a granthi was sent to Bangladesh to take care of the Chittagong-based historic gurdwara but, he too had to return after a short while as he was accorded a short-term visa. Now, absence of proper care had turned the Sikh shrines into dilapidated buildings. These shrines were of immense importance to Sikhs as these belonged to Guru Nanak Dev, who had visited a number of places in Bangladesh during his ‘Udasis”, said Avtar Singh. He asked the Bangladesh PM to ensure long-term visas for Sikhs so that they could maintain these shrines. “We also intend to send Jathas to Bangladesh,” he said. On the other hand, the issue of alleged misbehaviour with Jhinda and others at Karnal has taken a new turn with Sant Samaj chief Harnam Singh, who was also the chief of the Damdami Taksal, asking Sikhs to not to entertain Jhinda and his associates.
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Pak boy enters India carrying chemistry book, Rs 10
Amritsar, January 12 Atif Iftiaq, a 12-year-old boy hailing from Sarkabad Shahdra, was also arrested at the Attari Railway station where he had reached by the Samjhauta Express on Monday. The boy was allegedly snubbed by his father Iftiaq Ahmed for his indulgence in kite flying and fearing further censure at home, he had boarded the train at Lahore without any valid travel documents. Earlier, as many as, four Pakistani children have been nabbed in the Indian territory in recent days and they were, however, handed over to the Pakistan Rangers by the BSF after a flag meeting in the light of a bilateral understanding which stipulated that people crossing the border inadvertently would be handed over to their respective side within a time frame of 24 hours.
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PAU-201
Patiala, January 12 The Rice Millers Association of Punjab will issue a 15-day notice to the FCI soon. Association president Tarsem Saini said the issue of excess damage, ranging from 7-8 per cent, in PAU-201 variety of paddy had not been addressed by the FCI so far. “Following this, the association has decided that rice shellers across the state will ask the FCI to lift back this paddy produce of approximately 40 lakh tonnes,” he said. Saini said from the total paddy procured, about 40 lakh tonnes was of this variety, which was recently introduced by Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), after the concurrence and orders of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research. “However, the percentage of damage and discolour in the rice produced out of this variety is 7-8 per cent, which is 3-4 per cent more than other varieties,” he said, pointing out that there was no question of rice shellers paying for the extra loss to the FCI. Saini said when the FCI was not ready to give relaxation, rice shellers across the state would not suffer any loss and would return the produce to the FCI. Even CM Parkash Singh Badal had taken up the matter with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar requesting him that relaxation in the specifications should be given. Meanwhile, after presiding over a meeting of the Rice Shellers Associations of Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat here today, Saini, also president of the Rice Millers Association of India, alleged that the FCI was not serious in finding out a solution to the problem of space scarcity in FCI godowns in the state.
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Nagar Council Poll
Sangrur, January 12 Sources said infighting has not been favourable for the party as councillors owing allegiance to senior Congress leader Arvind Khanna allegedly voted against the party candidate for the post of junior vice-president Sanjay Jeet Gawa who belongs to rival MLA Sangur Surinder Pal Singh Sibia group. They added that the two of Congress councillors Deepak Aggarwal and former Congress Nagar Council president Parvinder Bajaj allegedly voted against the party candidate for the post of junior vice-president’s resulting in the victory of BJP-SAD candidate Bhagwanti Devi. Devi secured 12 votes whereas the Congress rival could manage merely nine votes. The SDM Sangrur Upkar Singh acted as presiding officer of the elections and declared that Deepak Aggarwal has been unanimously elected. Sources said Arvind Khanna managed to pull out a victory, rubbing salt on the wounds of Sibia, after his close associate Deepak Aggarwal became the consensus candidate of the councillors that included Sibia faction as also BJP-SAD. Talking to reporters after facing embarrassment in the election, Sibia said show-cause notices will be issued to Congress councillors Deepak Aggarwal and Parvinder Bajaj for initiating action against them for anti-party activities. Meanwhile, both averred that all councillors made Deepak Aggarwal as consensus candidate to come on common platform for overall development of the Sangrur town. They added that Surinder Pal Sibia should have respected the sentiments of residents who wanted to develop the town.
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Use of Punjabi distant dream in public offices
Chandigarh, January 12 In reply to a query under the RTI Act posed by advocate HC Arora, the Public Information Officer of the Department of Legal and Legislative Affairs conceded, “So far, the commission has translated and got published 130 central and state legislations in Punjabi. Due to the shortage of staff (which comprises one officer and three employees), only 23 Punjab Acts could be translated and published in Punjabi. Total number of Acts is approximately 1,547. The commission generally translates the Central Acts rather than state Acts.” Arora, who is also the convener of the RTI Users Association, further pointed out that the translation of the RTI Act into Punjabi took over three years and went through many departments and officials before it finally saw the light of day recently. Relating the sequence of events that led to the delay, the PIO of the commission stated that they were directed by the Department of Information Technology in April 2006 to translate the RTI Act. The translation work was completed in six months and was put up for discussion at a meeting held in October 2006. “It passed through various meetings of the commission and was sent to the Union Law Ministry in February 2007. The approved version was received back in May 2007. In July, the translated Act was sent to the printing department,” states the PIO’s response. A reminder was sent in September 2007 and after personal persuasion, the first, second and third proofs of the Act were obtained. Those proofs were sent to the Union Law Ministry for the final approval in September 2008, which were received back in November with the remarks that the ministry did not have any officer of Punjabi language and the Act be published by the Punjab government on its own. In February 2009, five copies of the Act in Punjabi were sent to the President of India. These were received back in April with certain amendments. After carrying out the corrections, the final translated version of the Act was considered by the commission and was again sent to the ministry for the approval of the President. The up to date translated copy of the RTI Act was then sent to the State Information Commission in September 2009.
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Probe sought into teacher’s death
Chandigarh, January 12 In a two-page letter to the IG Chandigarh, member secretary of the commission Sarvesh Kaushal has specifically pointed out the alleged role played by Baldev Raj who allegedly “victimised, harassed and exploited the victim by abusing his official position”. Baldev Raj was working as a re-employed officer in the office of the Director General School Education (DGSE) in Sector 32 where the victim committed suicide on September 22 last year. “This commission has been provided a transcript running into 105 pages containing highly obnoxious, perverted and sexually exploitative telephonic conversations that allegedly transpired between Baldev Raj and the victim,” the letter states. “It is also prima facie evident that Baldev Raj also claimed to be a friend of Sadhu Singh Randhawa, another senior officer in the Punjab education department, to the extent of acting as a conduit for him. He offered to introduce the victim to him in return of certain official favours,” the letter further pointed out. Baldev Raj was dismissed from service the day the recorded conversations were brought to the notice of DGSE Krishan Kumar. Krishan Kumar had also sent the transcripts to the Chandigarh police asking it to inquire into the matter and take necessary action. Much of the telephonic conversations were recorded by the victim and saved in her computer at the school. The victim was facing an inquiry following a complaint from the principal of the school. During the course of the inquiry, she was transferred to another school. When contacted, Baldev Raj said he was innocent. “I was overburdened with work and had requested to be relieved. I was terminated on September 16 and I read in the newspapers that a teacher killed herself on September 22. So, how can I be involved? I am being wrongly involved because I am an honest officer and other employees are against me. There have been no complaints against me and there were no allegations in my termination order either. The subsequent FIR that was lodged in the case also does not have my name. My name is being used by various people to save themselves or for their personal rivalry,” he said. From the transcripts (with The Tribune), it is clear that the victim was seeking her transfer back to the school and is also found to be goading a man to “fix” the principal and other teachers who had complained against her. While the man constantly assured the victim that her “work” would be done, he also gave her the number of a woman whom he refers to as “jhansi ki rani” saying that she would also be able to help. The victim also recorded the conversations she had with this woman named as one “doctor” in the transcripts. When contacted, Sadhu Singh Randhawa said, “I am not to be blamed if someone claims he knows me and offers to get someone’s work done from me.”
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Now, IGP to probe custodial death case
Chandigarh, January 12 Issuing directions in an open court, the Bench of Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Jasbir Singh also directed the transfer of Station House Officer (SHO) Gurmukh Singh to a far-off police district. The case will now come up for further hearing on January 27. Roor Singh of Nurpur Jattan village had died in the Dhilwan police station, Kapurthala district, allegedly due to poisoning during his illegal detention on September 4 and 5, 2009. Roor was arrested for allegedly possessing over Rs 92,000 in fake currency. The inquiry into the alleged custodial death has already established that the victim was in illegal custody till a day before he died of poisoning. The report categorically said there was no possibility of the victim possessing poison as he was in police custody. The report was earlier placed before the Bench of the then Acting Chief Justice Mehtab Singh Gill and Justice Ram Chand Gupta. The report by Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Jatinder Pal Singh says: “It is proved that the deceased, Roor Singh, was in illegal custody of the police on September 4. Thereafter, he died on September 5 last year in the custody of the police. He died unnatural death due to poisoning of organophosthorous
compound.”
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AG favours maternity benefits for contractual employees
Chandigarh, January 12 Reacting to a submission of the government on whether contract employees on maternity leave should receive salary for a period of their absence of work, AG HS Mattewal has responded in an affirmative manner. Though, it is now up to the state government to accept or reject the advice, but in AG’s opinion: “There is urgent need to formulate a uniform set of rules as in the past some contractual lecturers have been granted maternity leave with salary and some without salary. This is inequitable and arbitrary. There is necessity to evolve a uniform practice in this direction. Thus, in my view the salary for maternity leave is liable to be granted to contractual lecturers”. The issue came up before the Punjab government when some lecturers working in Government Polytechnics asked for grant of maternity leave. In one such case before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the court rejected the claim of the state that the contractual employees were temporary employees and thus were not entitled to regular scale and not even to the benefits accruing out of rules for regular employees. Mattewal, while citing the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, supported his argument by citing various judgements of the superior courts. In an opinion, which if implemented is bound to have wide range ramifications reads, “Women who constitute almost half the segment of our society have to be honoured and treated with dignity at places where they work. Whatever the nature of their duties be, they must be provided all the facilities they are entitled.” The AG has strongly recommended that the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, should be strictly adopted as it aims to provide all facilities to working women in a dignified manner so that she may overcome the state of motherhood honourably, peacefully, undeterred by the fear of being victimised for forced absence during the pre or post natal period. The immediate provocation for the government to seek the AG’s opinion on the issue was a legal notice served to the state government by an ex-lecturer of Government Polytechnic College demanding salary for six months when she was on maternity leave.
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Woman donates deceased son’s eyes
Bathinda, January 12 Earlier, she had donated the eyes of her husband Narayan Dass about one-and-a-half years ago. In both cases Kunti Devi gave her consent on humanitarian ground by saying that if with the eyes of her deceased kin some blind persons get eye sight then she has no objection over the eye donation. The eyes of Shanti Devi (70) of Boha, near Budhlada, in Mansa district, were also donated by her family today. Her son rang up an office-bearer of the Bareta unit of the Bharat Vikas Parishad (BVP) for donating her eyes, who had died this morning. As about 150 persons’ eyes had been donated only in Bareta by the kin of the deceased to the Netra Dan Samiti of the BVP during the past five years. It shows that the eye donation has been turning into a mass movement in the area. Besides Bareta town, the Bareta BVP has collected eyes of about 120 deceased persons so far from Budhlada, Mansa, Bathinda, Jakhal, Khanauri, Patran, Samana, Patiala, Moonak, Sunam and
Sangrur, etc. Talking to this reporter today, district president of Mansa unit of the BVP Harbans Lal Bansal (Bareta) said the corneas of Ram
Mohan and Shanti Devi would be transplanted in the eyes of four blind persons by tomorrow as they had already invited four blind persons
for the purpose. Bansal said five years ago his mother Dawarki Devi had died. At that time he had donated the eyes of his mother at her “shardhanjli samaroh”. He had announced about the starting of eye collection from eye donors. He said since then they had got corneas transplanted in the eyes of 518 blind persons after receiving eye donation from 259 deceased persons.
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Laying of Bitumen
Chandigarh, January 12 Anil Vashisht, chairman of “Uprala”, an NGO, had filed an appeal before the state Information Commission, Punjab, against the inaction of the public information officer of the MC and its first appellate authority to allow inspection of the Tanda road. The PIO stated that it had no provision or facility for providing samples of the material being used for the work in progress. During the pendency of the appeal before the SIC, however, the MC made a payment of Rs 40.34 lakh to the contractor. Anil today pleaded before the information commissioner that the matter would be investigated under the RTI Act, as the payment to the contractor was released in June 2009, without giving samples to the appellant of the work in progress.
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State to become ‘hot spot’ for investors
Abohar, January 12 Stating this here at a press conference today, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said administrative reforms were being carried out at large scale to extend all kinds of conveniences to the people to get their work done in government offices. Badal, along with PWD minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, was here today to inaugurate the railway overbridge (ROB), constructed over 48-A railway level crossing on the Abohar-Hanumangarh road in the city. Earlier addressing the rally, he said the completion of four thermal plants with generation capacity of 6,500 MW, 48 bagasse-based power plants with combined capacity of 500 MW, solar power plants with combined generation capacity of 40 MW in the next two years along with six laning and four laning of total network of national as well as state highways at the cost of Rs 5,000 crore would put the state on higher orbit of development. “Our government has been toiling hard to provide best civic amenities and health care to the people. While RO system are being installed in every nook and corner of the state, new hospitals in government as well as private sectors are being set up in Bathinda and other parts of the state for the poor,” he said.
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‘China, Pak biggest external threats’
Patiala, January 12 He said India was facing threats from Pakistan since 1947 and from China since mid-50s. However, little had been done to improve combat capability in the Himalayas, whereas China had been feverishly increasing its military capability in Tibet and building elaborate infrastructure there. He was speaking at the second Shaheed Nanak Singh Memorial lecture on “Defending India’s Integrity”, organised by Punjabi University’s Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur National Integration Chair, in collaboration with the SGPC and the Shaheed Nanak Singh Foundation, London. Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh said there should be deterring punishment for those trying to disturb communal harmony and integrity of India.
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Minor cancer patient needs help
Patiala, January 12 Major Singh said Reema (15), his only daughter, was suffering from throat cancer. Hailing from Balla village, near Patiala, Major Singh is economically weak and is not in a position to bear the cost of her treatment. “Because of cancer, we had to withdraw Reema from the school after class VII. Now, her treatment is going on at the Sector 32 Government Hospital in Chandigarh. The treatment is near completion,” he said. According to the doctors treating her, an amount of Rs 40,000 was still required for completing her treatment, he added. Major Singh can be contacted through his neighbour Sham Lal at 9878657182.
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Punjabi journalism thrives in Canada Chandigarh, January 12 Punjabi journalism is kicking in Canada says Gill, who was in the city last night. He interacted with newsmen at the Press Club here. “From a humble start with newspapers catering to a small Punjabi readership, we have publications that have increased their reach and influence over the past one decade,” says Gill, who is now Editor of “Sach di Awaz” in Surrey. He says while a dozen Punjabi newspapers with a sizable circulation are brought out in Vancouver and Toronto. “Punjabi newspapers provide not news on such issues, but a platform to readers to react on the same and take them up with visiting politicians on their visits to Canada,” he added.
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Benipal Case
Ludhiana, January 12 The notice was issued by the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate JPS Wehniwal to SHO Sadar police station, who happens to be the investigating officer of the case. The SHO has been asked to depose before the court on January 25. The application was moved by accused Simarjit Singh Bains, president of th SAD youth wing, and others. In the application, the accused stated that the police was relying on a CD which was allegedly recorded by a TV channel on the spot at the time of alleged occurrence. Stressing the need for supplying the CD, counsel Rana Surat Singh said it was obligatory on the part of the prosecution to supply copies of CD to all accused, as they had relied upon the same. He also moved an application seeking stay on the proceedings till the writ petition moved by the complainant, Major GS Benipal, was finally decided by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. All accused were today produced in the court by the police and the jail authorities. For the last three hearings none of the accused was produced by the police and the jail authorities citing different reasons every time.
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Kothari Panel
Ludhiana, January 12 While justice was delivered two decades after knocking at the court’s door, 43 years after the recommendation, these teachers are still fighting, while many of them have lost the battle to death midway. Despite the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing the state government in March last year to implement the report of the commission, the teachers are still awaiting the arrears and implementation of the revised pay scale. After the order, the state government extended the benefit to these teachers in two districts, Amritsar and Ferozepur, in June but teachers in the rest of the districts are still awaiting implementation of the order. “Many among us have died. Several are untraceable as they have changed their homes after retirement. What will the benefits mean if they do not reach us?” asked Lek Raj Khera, who had filed the petition in the high court. The Kothari Commission, constituted by the state government to revise pay scales of teachers in government schools, had in 1966 recommended the revision after five years. Following the recommendations, the state government implemented the revised pay scales of only the classical and vernacular teachers in 1971. But in the case of these teachers and masters working in different schools across the state at the time of filing of the petition in 1989, the revised pay scales were not granted. Rather, their pay scales were revised vide order dated July 6, 1975. Following this, a teacher from Ludhiana, Lekh Rak Khera, had filed a petition along with 920 teachers in the high court in 1989. After hearing the case for 20 years, the court had stated that the disparity by the state government was discriminatory and had directed the state of Punjab to extend the benefit of pay revision in their case with effect from November 1, 1971, instead of July 16, 1975.
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Murder of DGP’s Father
Moga, January 12 The police while producing him before the court filed an application before the CJM demanding seven-day police remand for further investigations but the court turned down the demand and sent Jagdev to one-day remand. Ramesh Grover, legal counsel of the NRI, argued before the court that the police under the pressure of the DGO was bent upon to keep him behind the bars by registering false cases against him. Meanwhile, Hardev Singh, brother of Jagdev Singh, told The Tribune that they had sent telegrams to the State Human Rights Commission and the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking immediate intervention into the functioning of the Moga police and to protect his life. His family had also demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter.
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Saini under scanner
Chandigarh, January 12 The plea was raised by Delhi resident Ashish Kumar, whose brother, brother-in-law and driver were allegedly abducted and killed by Saini. As Division Bench of Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Jasbir Singh was hearing a petition on the appointment and continuation of tainted police officers on key posts, Ashish Kumar stood up to hand over a letter by his 92-year-old mother Amar Kaur. Speaking for the Bench, Chief Justice Mudgal asked him to place before the court his contentions through amicus curiae Sanjay Bansal, who then told the court that the charges have been framed. As such, Saini should either be demoted, or placed under suspension. The Bench, after hearing Bansal, fixed March 30 as the next date of hearing. Before parting with the orders, the Bench directed the tagging of all related matters pertaining to police functioning. The letter referred to an incident that took place some 16 years ago. The latter said: “This is with reference to your taking suo motu cognisance of the fact that many police officers, who are having serious criminal cases pending against them, are posted at very sensitive places, getting promotions and making of a mockery of the legal system. “I am a 92-year-old widow fighting for justice for the past 16 years. My son Vinod Kumar, son-in-law Ashok Kumar and their driver Mukhtiar Singh were abducted and killed by Saini…. Despite the serious charges against Saini, the Akali-BJP government did not bother to even suspend him and other police officials concerned”. The letter to the Chief Justice concludes with: “Your timely intervention in the matter would help me die peacefully….”
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50-yr-old man kills ‘beloved’, arrested
Bathinda, January 12 The accused, Mangat Singh of Bhalerian Wala Mohalla, had an alleged illicit relationship with Manjeet Kaur of Guru Nanak Pura Mohalla for the past three years. The incident took place as Mangat had objected to her “intimacy” with other men. As per a “pre-planned” move, Mangat Singh took Manjeet Kaur to hired accommodation in Mehna Chowk here late last evening. There he reportedly asked her to “mend her ways”. Irked over his objection, Manjeet Kaur allegedly abused him which reportedly led to a scuffle between the two. At about midnight, Mangat assaulted her and damaged her front teeth. He then threw her on the floor and repeatedly stabbed her with a sharp ice-breaking tool till she succumbed to her injuries. After killing her, Mangat washed the blood stains and at about 2 am, left the house. He narrated the incident to a cop he met near the Kotwali police station. The police recovered the body of Manjeet Kaur and sent it to the Civil Hospital, Bathinda. SHO Kotwali, Gurjeet Singh Romana said the police arrested the accused under Section 302 of the IPC on the basis of the statement of the deceased’s kin. He denied that the accused had approached the police. Mangat Singh said he was a tempo driver and had six children. He said after his wife died three years ago he developed relations with Manjeet, who had three children. He claimed he had spent lakhs of rupees to meet her demands.
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