Chandigarh, May 18
The Punjab BJP today suspended Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Jagdish Sahni from the primary membership of the party on the charges of breaching party discipline.

Sahni had miffed the party by terming it “impotent” for failing to take action against Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla, whom he accused of being corrupt after a Health Department team raided three ultra sound diagnostic centres associated with him in Batala last month. He had also vented his ire against state BJP in charge Balbir Punj as well as former President Rajinder Bhandari and Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia.

The state BJP, while suspending him from the primary membership of the party immediately, has asked him to explain his conduct within seven days failing which exparte decision will be taken in the case.

State party President Ashwani Sharma, while conveying the party’s decision to Sahni, has reminded him that he had been elected to the Vidhan Sabha on the BJP ticket and that he had been subsequently inducted as the CPS on the recommendation of the party. The letter said it was “very sad” that Sahni had spoken out against the party and its leadership on May 15 and May 16.

The letter reminded Sahni that he had been advised on a number of occasions to raise party issues within the forums available in the party and not to go public on them. It said, “In spite of repeated requests and persuasions, you have been consistently, persistently and repeatedly taking internal party issues to the Press”. The letter also accused Sahni of acting in a way that was calculated at lowering the prestige of the party.

Meanwhile, Sahni tried to preempt action against him earlier in the day by holding a press conference and retracting his earlier utterances. He first claimed that he had been quoted out of context but when reminded about his exact statements said he could have reacted emotionally.

The CPS also clarified that he had full faith in the party leadership, including that of party state in charge Balbir Punj, Legislature party leader Manoranjan Kalia and state president Ashwani Sharma. He also asserted that he would not leave the party “which was like a mother”.

Sahni, however, clarified that his stand against Laxmi Kanta Chawla remained intact. He said he was in the process of buying the same generator that had been purchased by the Health Department for Rs 1.25 lakh for Rs 50,000. “I believe that the party will take a decision on my complaint,” he added.

Chandigarh, May 18
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked the Punjab Public Service Commission and its chief Sanjit Kumar Sinha to hand over the records required by the state of Punjab in the inquiry into the recruitment of medical officers.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Jasbir Singh also issued notice on Sinha’s application for interim relief. Sinha is seeking directions that “no official, department, agency, bureau or any other state instrumentality under the control of Punjab State Government headed by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal should hold inquiries or investigations regarding the selection of 312 medical officers in 2009”.

The Bench also allowed Sinha’s plea for becoming a party to a petition filed in public interest by state’s former Director-General of Police KPS Gill. He is seeking directions to the state of Punjab and other respondents to constitute a special investigating team; and for directing the state government to place before the high court the Chief Secretary’s inquiry report. Sinha has now been arrayed as a respondent in the petition; and has been given time to file his reply.

As Sinha’s petition for an independent probe into the allegations levelled against the commission came up for hearing this morning, along with Gill’s related petition, the Bench asked whether the state or Gill’s counsel had any objection to Sinha’s petition for becoming a party.

Gill’s counsel said though he disagreed with the submissions made by Sinha, he had no objections in his being impleaded as a party.

Appearing on behalf of the state, Rupinder Khosla said they could not file a reply in the matter because the commission was no cooperating and the record had not been supplied.

Responding to the assertion, Sinha’s counsel Bar at Law Himmat Singh Shergill said they had supplied whatever record was permissible to be handed over. He reiterated the commission’s style of functioning was completely transparent.

Pressing for interim relief, Shergill said they were in the process of carrying out recruitments, but the Chief Secretary was asking questions.

He also asked for a short date. Taking note of his assertions, the Bench verbally asserted it was not a case for ex-parte order and fixed July 22 as the next date of hearing.

Chhat (Banur), May 18
Illegal quarrying in the bed of Ghaggar river and sewage waste released from Panchkula, Zirakpur and adjoining villages have posed a threat to the flora and fauna near Chhatbir Zoo.

Besides quarrying, lack of water in the Ghaggar, too, has affected the visits of birds and animals.

A pipe discharges dirty water into the Ghaggar and people have been taking away soil from the river bed.

Expressing concern over the lackadaisical attitude of the government over the sorry state of affairs in Ghaggar, the bird lovers in the area have demanded restoration of flora and fauna.

“Earlier we used to see a large number of birds and animals of different species, which has now reduced with the passage of time,” admitted the field director at Mahendra Choudhary Zoological Park, Tushar Kanti Bahera.

He added that the reducing forest area and lack of water bodies in adjoining zoo has affected the number of birds during the past few years.

Around 100 niel gais, nearly dozen foxes, wild animals and few birds could be seen in this forest, which is a protected area adjoining the boundary of zoo.

The bird watchers said the ban on sand quarrying by the high court few days ago brought temporary respite for birds and animals which usually get disturbed due to plying of heavy vehicles on Ghaggar bed.

These trucks have also formed temporary routes in river bed which lead to soil erosion. The damage done to the river beds could bring disaster in low lying areas, including the zoo and adjoining villages, during rainy season.

Officials of the mining department said despite continuous checking on the river bed, the villagers take away soil during night.

General manger (Industries) Surinder Singh said the quarrying had been stopped in the entire Ghaggar area after orders of high court.

He assured to look into the illegal soil digging by area residents.

Jalandhar, May 18
Over 100 Hindu families, who came to India in the past two decades from Pakistan, here today decided to fight a legal battle to get the Indian citizenship.

The families, who submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner here, live at Basti Bawa Khel, Bhargo Camp and Gandhi Camp here. They say that they came to India when a hatred campaign had started against Hindu families in that country after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992. President of the All-India Hindu Shiv Sena Surinder Kumar Billa, who has taken up their cause, said the apathetic attitude of both the state and Union governments left them with no other option except to take legal path.

“The families are living in India for the past 10-20 years. As per the Constitution, Hindus, who have migrated from Pakistan and are living in India for over five years, are eligible to get the Indian citizenship. However, the government has rejected hundreds of cases of migrants. Families have been told to furnish documents, such as valid passports, which they could not avail in any case,” he said.

Lal Chand, who migrated to India in 2000 from Sadra Badra village in Sialkot district, said the Government of India wanted us to get our Pakistani passport renewed. “However, the Pakistan Embassy in Delhi demands a computerised identity card of our native places, before renewing our passports. After 10 years, we cannot take risk of going back to Pakistan to collect the I-card. We are not sure whether they would give us computerised ID card or arrest us,” said Lal Chand.

Chandigarh, May 18
Punjab Pradesh Congress president Mohinder Singh Kaypee’s statement welcoming BJP leader Jagdish Sahni into the Congress has been challenged by former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh who has claimed that the party must first look after the interests of its own party workers.

Capt Amarinder Singh apparently came out in support of party chief spokesman Ashwani Sekhri who in a separate statement to TNS claimed the PPCC president did not have any right to induct Sahni into the Congress. Sahni had defeated Sekhri from the Batala constituency in the last Assembly elections.

Amarinder Singh claimed that after recent shows of strength in Amritsar and Patiala many leaders from the ruling alliance wanted to join the Congress. He, however, maintained that the interests of leaders who had withstood “victimisation” at the hands of the SAD-BJP combine should be kept in mind before inducting anyone into the party.

Former Sangrur legislator Arvind Khanna, in a separate statement, said the party needed to study the antecedents of SAD-BJP alliance members who wanted to join it. He said such leaders should be inducted after arriving at a consensus in the party first.

Meanwhile, Sekhri, who claimed he had brought Kaypee’s statement to the attention of the party high command, said only party workers from Batala could decide whether Sahni could be admitted to the Congresss. He said as far as the party high command was concerned, it was against the entry of “corrupt persons” or those who had committed “atrocities” against Congress workers.

The former minister said the entire Congress leadership in the Majha region of the state was with him on the issue saying he had the support of nearly all prominent Majha leaders, including Sukhjinder Randhawa, Sukh Sarkaria, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Harpartap Ajnala, Ashok Sharma, Raman Behl and Sunil Datti. He said Batala Congressmen had also met at the party office today and “rejected” any move to induct Sahni into the Congress.

Chandigarh, May 18
The Congress has opposed an “illegitimate” and “unconstitutional” move of the Chief Minister to allow the DLF to use 230 acres of prime land at Mullanpur for a golf course.

Reacting to a report published in these columns today, Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira said the move was a clear violation of the Punjab Village Common Land (Regulations) Rules 1964, which had been diluted by the state government to lease out the said land for 33 years to the DLF for a profit-making commercial venture.

“The state is facing a severe financial crunch with over Rs 65,000-crore debt. Nearly 18,397 governments schools and 229 hospitals are in a shambles. Lakhs of youth are unemployed and farmers are committing suicides with a colossal Rs 35,000 crore debt. But yet the Badals want to promote golf in Punjab. Can any resident of these 11 panchayats dream to play golf in such like projects?” asked Khaira.

MP and Punjab Youth Congress chief Ravneet Singh Bittu alleged that the move smacked of corruption and was definitely neither in the interest of the people of these 11 panchayats nor the people of the state. Bittu demanded an immediate scrapping of the proposal

The Congress has also urged the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to intervene in the matter and take suo motu cognisance of the state government’s move.

The Punjab Government has recently approved the use of over 230 acres of panchayat land for the development of a golf course by the DLF as part of their super-mega project coming up atn Mullanpur, Mohali. This is the first time in the state that the government has offered to go out of its way to facilitate the leasing out of the panchayat land to a private builder to assist builders in their project. Other than the 230 acres of the panchayat land, another 14 acres of land owned by the government and being used by the Department of Irrigation has also been offered to the DLF for the development of a water park for adventure sports.

Amritsar, May 18
Activists of the Amarnath Sewa Mandal along with various Hindu organisations burnt an effigy here today of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), responsible for conducting the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine in the Kashmir valley, following the expiry of seven-day ultimatum.

President of the mandal Suresh Sehgal said since the board refused to review its tough decisions regarding organising the yatra, they would be forced to intensify the stir.

He said the SASB took “autocratic” decisions, including squeezing of the area for installing langar stalls en route the pilgrimage, steep hike in plying of bus fee in the hily state and levying of Rs 25,000 non-refundable fee from the organisations installing langar stalls during the over month-long pilgrimage.

He announced that his organisation was establishing contacts with other religious organisations across the country, regularly taking part in the yatra. He alleged that the SASB was taking “undemocratic” decisions under duress from the Omar Abdullah government. He said the Chief Minister, to keep the inhabitants of the valley in good humour, was taking such decisions.

The agitators said the board had reduced the area for putting up langar stalls to nearly half a km stretch. Earlier, the stalls of free community kitchen used to be installed on about a five-km stretch from Baltal to Damol. He added that apparently the decision was taken to help the business of the locals.

Similarly, Sehgal said the Jammu and Kashmir government hiked the fee levied on each bus to Rs 2,300 per day from the earlier Rs 300 a day. Consequently, he rued that private transporters had jacked up a bus hiring cost from Rs 30,000 to Rs 60,000 for a 10-day pilgrimage to the Kashmir valley.

Raising slogans against the Jammu and Kashmir government, they urged the Union Government to intervene in the matter and direct the Jammu and Kashmir government to review its decisions as the yatra would start from July 1.

Chak Panj Kohi (Ferozepur), May 18
The Punjab Police has initiated the exercise of preparing a master plan on the security system to meet challenges being posed by anti-national elements. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said today that this would help in the modernisation of police force comprehensively to enable it to deal with any kind of situation. He was in the village to attend a sangat darshan function.

“The weaponry of the state police will be upgraded. CCTVs and video cameras will be installed at all sensitive places. A new technology will be introduced for crime detection and the police will be equipped with latest electronic gadgets for making it more efficient,” Sukhbir added.

He said the police of districts situated at inter-state border pockets were having regular bilateral/trilateral meetings to nab forces inimical to the country. He said for the first time, the police has constituted a special core group to crack cyber crimes and online frauds.

“The seizure of explosives, weapons and narcotics in the past few months was an indication that the police is vigilant enough to take bad elements head on,” the Deputy CM claimed. He claimed that the state would be surplus in power generation within a few years.

Moga, May 18
A CBI team from its Nagpur zonal office that raided yesterday the manufacturing unit of a herbal drugs manufacturing firm at Moga registered a criminal case against the owner and arrested him this morning. The owner has been accused of mixing allopathic steroids in herbal drugs.

The Nagpur CBI team comprising Inspector SM Hirday, Inspector MS Patil and head constable Kishan Chand accompanied by their colleagues from the Chandigarh zonal office, Sub-Inspector Manmeet Singh and a few others, swooped down on the house of Gurbachan Singh, owner of JP Herbal Pharmacy, last night, after collecting samples of drugs from his unit and took him into custody.

Patil and Hirday while talking to The Tribune confirmed that a criminal case had been registered against the owner under various sections of the IPC, the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

After putting his arrest on papers, the owner of the firm was produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Karunesh Kumar Kakkar here this afternoon. A medical test of the owner was conducted in the district hospital. The court granted a three-day transit remand of the owner to the CBI for taking him to Nagpur. He will be produced before a Nagpur court on May 21 this week.

Meanwhile, giving details of the samples taken, the CBI team revealed that they had taken samples of five products -- Diabetes Powder, Coughless Powder, Painkill Powder, Body Growfast Powder and Slimfast Powder-- for chemical tests, which would be conducted in the central laboratory of the agency in New Delhi.

The samples of the same herbal products taken by the local Drug Inspector, Balram Luthra, from time to time had been passed by the state drugs testing laboratory, contrary to the findings of the CBI.

A senior official of the CBI revealed that if fresh samples taken by the agency failed the tests, then the agency would take legal action against the drug controlling authorities concerned of the Punjab government for allowing them to run the manufacturing unit besides recommending closing down of the firm to the government.

Hoshiarpur, May 18
To cover all insured industrial workers and their dependents for providing free health facilities to them under the ESI, the Employees State Insurance Corporation of India (ESICI) will launch Panchdeep project in August.

Addressing a seminar organised for creating an awareness about the project here today, Dr Neelam Sandhu, SMO in charge, ESI hospital, said under this project, dependents of insured industrial employees could get free treatment at ESI hospitals even at their native places.

Over 2,200 ESI hospitals and dispensaries would be e-connected. The director-general of the ESICI would monitor the performance of employees throughout the country.

The senior medical officer of the ESI, Dr Ajay Bagga, said all insured industrial employees being covered under the ESI should get issued their smart electronic cards to get health benefits for their immediate dependents.

Wipro company has been assigned to e-connect all ESI hospitals and dispensaries in the country before the final commencement of the project in August.

Director, ESI, Health Services, Dr Ashok Nayar has directed all SMOs of ESI hospitals to identify five persons in their respective hospitals to declare them “champions” for the project.

Representatives of the ESI, industry and employees of local hospitals participated in the seminar. Later, a rally was also held to create awareness about a “pehchan” card among beneficiaries.

Chandigarh, May 18
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal yesterday formed a two-member committee of ministers Adesh Partap Singh Kairon and Tikshan Sud to look into apprehensions raised by the BJP on the issues of VAT refunds and transactions.

The CM formed the panel after Industries Minister Manoranjan Kalia expressed concern that traders would lose out due to a Excise and Taxation Department stipulation under which they would have to submit “C” and “H” forms to get refunds during the Cabinet meeting yesterday. Kalia said submitting these forms within 60 days was difficult.

Kalia said the state government’s move to allow the imposition of VAT only on up to four transactions would also adversely affect traders in the state. He said there was no such embargo in other states.

The BJP also brought to the notice of the CM that the new electricity utility formed after the unbundling of the PSEB had not adjusted bills of domestic consumers as ordered for a six-month period. The BJP had prevailed upon the government earlier not to impose the power tariff hike ordered by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission for six months. — TNS

Amritsar, May 18
Global opportunities and lucrative pay scales in the private and corporate sectors have been the major reasons for discouragement in joining the armed forces, having lower pay packets.

“But this does not imply that youngsters are not coming forward to join the Army, ” said Brig KD Malhotra, Deputy Director General (DDG), Recruiting, headquarters recruiting zone (Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir).

It is pertinent to mention here that all three wings of the fourth largest army in the world- Army, Navy and Air Force - are grappling with a shortage of nearly 14,000 officers.

Malhotra said: “Though the salaries have increased in the armed forces after the Sixth Pay Commission, still the country’s youth found the forces less attractive in comparison with the private sector.”

Meanwhile, in spite of the repeated caution by the Army recruitment authorities, youths continue to fall prey to touts, who defraud them making false promises of selection in the Army recruitment drive, if the latest catch of candidates using fake documents are anything to go by.

Even in this recruitment session, 10 youths were found possessing fake documents during the Army Recruitment Rally for soldier, clerk, soldier technical and soldier nursing assistance being held at Khasa army ground here. As many as 18,955 candidates from across the state participated during the four-day rally here out of which 1,024 candidates found fit after passing through various physical and medical examinations.

“A total of 10 candidates were caught by the Army authorities with forged educational certificates of the Punjab State Education Board and using fake rubber stamps,” said the DDG.

“But we preferred not to take any legal action against them as it would ruin their future,” he added.

Candidates, who are fit, will appear for Common Entrance Examination slated to be held on May 30 at the rally ground.

Chhat (Banur), May 18
An year-old female leopard that was caught at Brahmpura village in Nangal on Sunday died in the wee hours at Chhatbir zoo.

Zoo doctors claim that it died due to high dose of tranquiliser and lack of immediate antidote. “There was no veterinary doctor with the rescue team. Team members failed to provide cub with an antidote that must be given to animal within few minutes of administering tranquiliser,” said Dr Nirmaljit Singh at Mahendra Choudhary Zoological Park.

He said the cub weighed merely 12 kg and could have caught with a net. The animal would have been later released in forest area to unite with either of the parent.

“Marks of injuries were visible on its skin that could also have been avoided. Police help could have been taken to cordon off the area,” zoo officials said.

Zoo authorities stated that they had heated arguments with the rescuers, who posed in front of the camerapersons along with cub without noticing her health. “We told them not to disturb animal as it needed an immediate antidote,” said zoo officials.

An authority even pointed out that leopard was drugged with a heavy dose of tranquiliser. “The rescue team failed to gauge whether animal was an adult or cub. The tranquiliser administered to it was per dose given to an adult. A cub cannot tolerate such heavy doses,” the officials pointed out.

Noticeably, a live fowl was placed in front of the leopard on Monday, but the animal failed to respond or make an attempt to catch it. A period of 72 hours was critical for the survival of the animal, which was rescued under stressful conditions after having come in conflict with villagers. At zoo, it was given water laden with glucose.

Zoo field director Tushar Kanti Bahera said some leopards were suspected to have come down from the mountains near Himachal Pradesh and preyed on small animals.

the villagers and a wildlife team caught hold of the animal after a long rescue operation. Bahera added that postmortem was conducted and it was cremated at the zoo today. According to the postmortem report, the animal died primarily due to internal bleeding that was likely to have been caused on account of beast being beaten with lathis by the villagers, the report stated.

Meanwhile, district forest officer (wildlife), Ropar, SP Singh, who conducted the rescue operation, claimed that a veterinary doctor was with the team and the leopard was given an antidote.

When enquired about more details he said: “I do not know who the veterinary doctor was but he must have given him the antidote as everything was done as per the rules.”

However, sources pointed that while on its way back to Chhatbir, the rescue team looked for a veterinary doctor in Anandpur Sahib, Ropar and Kharar, but could not find any.

Ropar, May 18
Ropar district administration’s Shiwalik Club as well as other eateries, food joints and restaurants in the district have been serving hard liquor without actually having a licence to do the same.

As per the excise and taxation department, only three units have licences to serve hard liquor, including Kikar Lodge, a dhaba at Morinda and Boat Club Ropar. The boat club was closed last year.

Also there are only five authorised beer bars in the district. At all other places, including holy city Anandpur Sahib, hard liquor is being served without any licence.

Besides getting a permit, the hosting place has to pay Rs 4,000 for each party. Keeping in view the kind of parties hosted especially at Shiwalik Club Ropar, the excise and taxation department is suffering losses almost on daily basis.

TNS is in possession of certain photographs of hard liquor being served at parties at Shiwalik Club. Talking to TNS, manager of the club Sanjiv Budhiraja confirmed that the club does not have a licence. “The club has applied for a licence through AC (G),” he said.

Deputy commissioner Arunjit Singh Miglani, who is also the president of Shivalik Club, too added that club would soon apply for the licence. Assistant excise and taxation commissioner Harinder Kaur Brar said the permit for Shivalik Club would soon be given. Brar said the department kept a check on the hard liquor served. She added that anyone serving hard liquor without permit is subjected to fine to the tune of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

Ropar, May 18
In wake of the loot incidence at Bikkon village fuel filling station, owners of all fuel stations have been directed to install CCTV cameras or face legal action.

On May 16, three miscreants had allegedly looted Rs 28, 000 cash from a fuel station near Bikkon village.

SSP LK Yadav said despite strict orders passed under security measures, only 10-15 per cent of fuel station owners have installed CCTV cameras, while remaining fuel stations remain unwatched.

He case of a looting or any other untoward incidence, it becomes difficult for the police to identify the accused. Owners of fuel stations, banks and other security agencies had been directed to install these cameras.

“Installing these cameras not only provides the police with clues, but also prohibits anti-social elements from indulging into illegal activities,” he said. Police officials have been directed to conduct surprise checks and take action against those who have not fulfilled the directions.

Also, during a meeting convened with authorities of banks in district, it was found that there are total 108 banks in the district and only 43 have installed CCTV cameras.

Patiala, May 18
With government departments not showing any interest in enforcing the Tobacco Control Act, 2003, the district administration has issued strict instructions to them in this regard. As per the information, Civil Surgeon Sham Lal Mahajan has apprised Deputy Commissioner Deepinder Singh, who is also the chairman of the Tobacco Control Committee, that till date only five government departments of the district had put up billboards spreading awareness about the ill effects of tobacco. The DC has issued instructions to the departments to ensure compliance of instructions and also put up billboards regarding ban on tobacco consumption/smoking at public places. He has also called for written explanation from the erring departments.

Meanwhile, the DC has also instructed hotel and restaurant owners to put up ‘No Smoking’ signs on their premises. He has further stated that the hotels having more than 30-room accommodation would have to keep one room reserved for smoking purpose and there would be a complete ban on the usage of tobacco products in hotels having less than 30 rooms.

The DC has also appealed to the school authorities that the students must be informed about the ill effects of tobacco consumption and smoking.

Chhapar Chiri, May 18
While the Punjab Government and the SGPC has spent lakhs of rupees to celebrate the Sirhind Fateh Divas to mark the historic battle that Banda Singh Bahadur and his soldiers fought here to defeat the formidable army of the Governor of Sirhind Wazir Khan, the plight of the residents of the predominantly Dalit-populated village has failed to catch the attention of the government.

Last week, the entire state machinery was stationed at the historic village but none of the officials took cognisance of the poor basic amenities at the two government schools in Chhapar Chiri Kalan and Chhapar Chiri Khurd. Also, there is no dispensary in the two villages that have perhaps the largest concentration of soldiers in the Army. The only contribution to the development of village has been a new road from Mohali city.

The two-room Government Primary School at Chhapar Chiri Kalan with 22 students does not have fans and adequate drinking water supply. Water supply to the school from Chaju Majra village is erratic and in the absence of a boundary wall, there was theft of taps. To relieve themselves, the students have to draw water from a hand pump. “Every government building in the village should reflect the importance attached with the place,” said member of Panthic Vichar Manch Baljit Singh Khalsa. The school has just one teacher to teach different classes.

At a throw away distance is Government Middle School, Chhapar Chiri Khurd. As many as 22 students of the primary wing and 35 students of the middle wing are accommodated in two rooms. Zora Singh, former sarpanch of Chhapar Chiri Khurd, said the village was still awaiting tube well connection. He also pointed that in 1988, the village was adjudged at the best village in Ropar district.

Patiala, May 18
Jagdish Bhatia, deputy director, Local Bodies (Patiala), breathed his last yesterday.

He was 57. Bhatia had suffered heart attack and was admitted to the PGI, Chandigarh. He is survived by wife Indira Bhatia, a son and two daughters.

Bhatia was cremated at Rajpura today. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Raj Khurana and former Punjab minister Balramji Das Tondon visited Bhatia’s residence and expressed their condolences.

Chandigarh, May 18
Admitting an appeal filed by former IAS officer Bikramjit Singh against the trial court’s order sentencing him to two and a half years’ rigorous imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today suspended the sentence.

Justice Gurdev Singh also asked the state of Punjab to file its response to Bikramjit Singh’s application for stay on the directions of attaching 10 per cent of his property. The state has been given time till May 24 to file its reply to the plea filed through senior advocate-cum-former advocate-general RS Cheema and Bikramjit Singh’s counsel SPS Bhullar.

Soon after the high court took up the case, at least six MLAs issued a joint statement for withholding Bikramjit Singh’s pension.

The MLAs, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, SS Khaira, Makhan Singh, Joginder Pal Jain and Avtar Singh Brar, said the high court had declined a stay on his conviction. “In view of the facts, circumstances and the well-settled provisions of law, the pension of Bikramjit Singh should be withheld immediately, failing which they would be constrained to invoke extra-ordinary jurisdiction of law under Article 226 of the Constitution, praying that pension of Bikramjit Singh, who has been convicted of criminal charges be stopped forthwith”.

Also the former Principal Secretary to Punjab Chief Minister, Bikramjit Singh, has challenged the trial court’s orders of holding him guilty in the case, and sentencing him to imprisonment, besides imposing a fine of Rs 30,000.

In the petition, Bikramjit Singh has asserted that he has explained his assets. The trial court had held him guilty of owning assets worth Rs 24 lakh, which came from unaccounted sources.

In 1997, a case under Sections 13 (2) and 13 (1e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against Bikramjit Singh, after obtaining prosecution sanction from the then Punjab government.

Amritsar, May 18
With the arrest of the husband and two others, the Amritsar rural police today claimed to have solved a double murder case in which two women, Sukhwinder Kaur (25) and her sister-in-law Rajbir Kaur (18), were strangled to death.

The two were on their way to their native village, Kaler, situated on Ramtirath Road, along with their family on the evening of May 14 when the incident occurred.

Gurpreet Singh, husband of Sukhwinder Kaur, in his complaint lodged with the police had stated that they were attacked by some persons who robbed their money, cell phone and gold jewellery besides killing his wife and sister Rajbir.

Shivdarshan Singh, SHO, Kamboh police station, said the culprit first gave them sleeping pills mixed in eatables before strangulating them with the help of his two friends.

“Gurpreet’s statement aroused suspicion and during investigations, it came to light that Gurpeet was suspicious of the character of his wife and sister. This was the main cause behind the crime,” said Shivdarshan.

They were coming from Manawala after meeting his relatives. On reaching the Putlighar area, he gave them sleeping pills mixed with some eatables due to which the two fell unconscious. According to the plan, he brought along two of his companions, Prem Singh and Gajan Singh, who strangled the two victims with a rope in the running vehicle. He later concocted the story of looting to dodge his family and the police.

Shivdarshan said Gurpreet gave Rs 50,000 to the two accused for committing the crime out of which he gave Rs 20,000 on the spot. He said the police had recovered the money and the rope used for the crime.