Ambala, November 10
The CBI has not found any evidence against former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore, convicted of molesting budding tennis player Ruchika of Panchkula, in cases lodged against him by Ashu Girhotra and SC Girhotra, brother and father of the victim.

The premier investigating agency today filed a closure report in the court of Abdul Mazid, Special Magistrate, in the cases registered early this year by the Panchkula police on the complaint of the Girhotras.

The cases were registered under various Sections of the IPC, including 166 (public servant disobeying a direction of the law with intent to cause injury), 167 (public servant framing an incorrect document), 182 (giving false information to a public servant in order to cause him to use power to cause injury to a person), 195-A (threatening a person to give false evidence), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 307 (attempt to murder), 344 (wrongful confinement for 10 or more days), 347 (wrongful confinement for extorting property), 348 (wrongful confinement for extorting confession or information ), 357 (assault or use of criminal force in attempt to wrongfully confine a person), 358 (assault or use of criminal force on grave and sudden provocation), 467 (forgery of a valuable security will or authority), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forge document known to be forged), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy to commit offence).

The court, after hearing the CBI, issued notices to the father and the son for November 25.

Rathore was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by the CBI Court at Chandigarh. The sentence was later enhanced to one-and-a-half years by the Sessions Court on an appeal by the CBI, which was upheld by the High Court. Rathore is now serving the sentence at the Burail jail, Chandigarh. 

Rohtak, November 10
Farmers of nearby Sundana village have pooled their resources to meet the expenses incurred on draining out floodwaters standing on thousands of acres of agricultural land since September.

“We have already collected Rs 36,000 so that we can purchase pipes and other equipment to hasten the process of dewatering of fields which have been under 2ft to 4 ft of water since the monsoons,” said Jagdish Singh, a former sarpanch of the village.

He said though the authorities had installed pumps at various points, not all farmers had been benefited.

At some places, no pipes had been laid. Also, some fields were located far beyond the area where the accumulated water was being drained out.

“While a temporary drain has been dug up, it was necessary to pool funds (Rs 150 per acre) for procuring pipes and items to tackle the problem. We may not be able to sow early varieties of wheat,” said a worried Satbir Singh and Rajender, both residents of Sundana.

Claiming that 335 acres of land was still under water in and around the village, they said it would take at least three to four weeks to drain out the water. Hundreds of acres in Ritoli, Baland, Kakrana and Garnawathi villages were facing the same problem, said sources in the agriculture department.

The Deputy Commissioner, PC Meena, admitted that the deadline for dewatering the flooded areas in the district had been extended from October 31 to November 10. Yet the problem persisted in certain pockets. He said the remaining water was expected to be drained out within a week or so.

The agricultural department had issued an advisory to farmers to complete the sowing of early varieties of wheat by November 20. It had warned any delay could result in loss of production up to 6 kg of wheat per acre at the time of harvest

Jind, November 10
The Akhil Bhartiya Jat Mahasabha has decided to step up its stir on quota for Jats in government jobs with a rally here on December 5, a spokesperson of the mahasabha said here recently. The Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samitihas already announced a meeting in New Delhi on November 25.

Yudhvir Singh, general secretary of the Jat Mahasabha, said the ‘Jat Ekta Maha rally’ it will be held at HUDA grounds. He blamed a section of the community and certain organisations of misleading the people, alleging an agreement with the government.

Claiming that no agreement had been reached with the Centre, he said the mahasabha was unanimous on reviving the stir till their demand was met. The stir would be carried in a peaceful and democratic manner. Quota for Jats was long due as the Gurnam Singh Commission had recommended the same in the early nineties. The Jats in Delhi, Rajasthan, UP, HP and MPhad already been brought under quota and Jats in Haryana deserved the same facility, he added. 

Rewari, November 10
A Class XII student of the local Jain Public School, Nitin Jain, was assaulted by three schoolmates, who were on a motor cycle-borne, near the school gate here today. He has been admitted to the local trauma centre.

The incident has shocked city residents who have expressed concern over teenage violence.

The assailants first struck him with a brick. As the victim fel writhing in pain, they pierced his foot with a sharp-edged weapon and fled the spot.

The incident occurred as Nitin was on his way home on his bicycle after school. The police, which has registered a case, is investigating the reason behind the assault.

Rohtak, November 10
The District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) posted here and two more government officials were among four killed in a road accident near Kharkhara village on National Highway 10, 25 km from here, today. The incident took place when the victims were on the way to Rohtak. The vehicle they were travelling in collided head-on with a truck. The driver of the truck fled away after the mishap.

The deceased have been identified as Rohtak DPRO Rajender Panchal (33), Junior Engineer in the Public Health Department Ratan Prakash, an employee of the PR Department Pramod Sharma and Dharampal, all residents of Meham town. It is reported that the DPRO had gone to Meham for inspection of troupe of government publicity workers.

The bodies have been handed over to their kin after a postmortem at a hospital. The police has registered a case. — TNS

Bhiwani, November 10
Verender of Basai village, who allegedly attempted to rape his daughter, axed her to death at Satnali village under Loharu subdivision here today. He also injured his wife seriously.

The accused attempted to attack a few others, including a trader. Later, he surrendered to the police.

Naresh, brother-in-law of Verender, and his sister Savitri had come to Satnali for the marriage Verender’s daughters - Geeta and Ritu - on Tuesday. Naresh returned to his village the same day and Ritu accompanied Savitri to the railway station. Meanwhile, Verender allegedly made a bid to rape his elder daughter Geeta, who was alone in the house. When Geeta protested, he allegedly attacked her with an axe.

Geeta’s mother Savita, on hearing the cries, tried to save her daughter, but Verender also attacked her. Geeta, who sustained serious injuries on head, neck and hands, died on the spot while Savita received serious injuries.

The accused then went to the old bus stand and tried to kill one Bhagirath Singh, who was sitting at a medical store. However, Singh managed to escape. Verender also attacked Golu, son of Raj Kumar and nephew of Satnali Udyog Vyapar Mandal president Uday Singh.

Later, the accused entered a shop and injured Pradeep, son of Ram Avtar. Pradeep sustained injuries in the attack.

Later, Verender took a lift on a motorcycle and went to the police station, where he surrendered. It has been alleged that Verender Singh had illicit relations with his daughter Geeta and when his wife Savita came to know about it, she had sent Geeta to her maternal house. Geeta had come back three days ago.