NEIGHBOURHOOD

Cong leader’s gunman killed in accidental fire
Tribune News Service

Kurali, May 11
A gunman of Congress leader Rajbir Singh Padiala was killed in an accidental gunfire here today.

The incident took place at around 6 pm when 30-year-old Sukhdeep Singh, a private gunman of Padiala, was playing a game of cards with his colleagues. In his statement to the police, Sukhdeep’s brother Jaswinder Singh said while playing cards, Sukhdeep experienced uneasiness and pain in stomach.

He went to washroom and incidentally took his gun along with him. When he was about to sit in the washroom, the gun accidentally went off. The bullet went from the lower part of his chin through his head and hit the roof. Sukhdeep died on the spot.

On hearing the noise of gunshot, his companions rushed to the washroom, broke open the door and took out Sukhdeep’s body, said the police.

Police officials said that Sukhdeep had been living with Rajbir’s family for past over eight years and was unmarried.

Dera Bassi, May 11
Residents of Dappar, Lehli and other adjoining villages are a harassed lot.

Ash originating from industrial units in these areas has become a cause of worry for them. Residents rued that their pleas had fallen on deaf ears.

They said the harmful ash was causing eye ailments. “There seems to be no respite, the authorities have turned a blind eye to our problem. People, who are suffering from asthma, are the worst hit,” said Jaspal Singh, a resident of Dappar.

Residents have stopped venturing outdoors. Jasbir Singh, sarpanch, Lehli village, also expressed concern over the harmful ash originating from power plants. He appealed to the authorities to solve the problem at the earliest.

When contacted, officials of the Pollution Control Board said steps would be taken to tide over the problem at the earliest.

New Delhi, May 11
The Supreme Court today ordered status quo on the Phase III of Rajiv Gandhi Technology Park being set up close to Sukhna Lake.

A Bench comprising Justices GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly also issued notice to the Chandigarh Administration and the Central Government on seven petitions filed by 21 persons whose land spread over 272 acres was acquired for the third phase.

The status quo order will stall all constructions and lead to further alienation of land to technology companies. The court asked the Centre to file an affidavit explaining the steps taken in the light of the special audit report conducted at the instance of the union home ministry following allegations of financial and other irregularities in the implementation of the project. The departmental audit organisation of the ministry had conducted the audit.

Appearing for the petitioners, senior counsel Anoop Choudhry, KK Venugopal and Srinivasa Murthy said the project was being set up without clearance from the ministry of forest and environment even though it was close to the ecologically sensitive lake.

According to the petitions, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had dismissed their pleas without considering the relevant material.

The Chandigarh Administration acquired the farmers’ land ostensibly for public purpose, but was utilising the land for favouring real estate companies. One of the IT companies which was allotted land through a draw of lot had not even put in its application, the petitioners said.

Ten per cent of the area was meant for constructing residential premises for IT professionals, but not a single flat had been allotted to them so far.

The audit report by a six-member committee had gone into the alleged irregularities committed in the first two phases of the park, particularly by the authorities. The audit had been conducted in the light of the findings of a one-member committee of Arul Ramanathan. The findings had been submitted to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) which in turn had asked the home ministry to conduct the audit.

Incidentally, the land acquisition for the first two phases was cleared by the SC.

Chandigarh, May 11
Coming down heavily on the Chandigarh administration and other authorities for being “harsh and unfair” towards the underprivileged who have not raised constructions on sites allocated to them, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has called for a more humane approach towards the poor.

The clarion call came after Justice Ranjit Singh refused to approve the administration’s action of cancelling the allocation of a site without taking into consideration petitioner Dhirju’s financial conditions.

Taking up the petition against the UT Chief Administrator, the MC Assistant Commissioner, the Estate Officer and the Union of India, Justice Ranjit Singh observed: “This is a case of another poor person who has come to challenge the order passed by the Chandigarh administration cancelling his allotment of transit site in Vikas Nagar, Mauli Jagran, Chandigarh.”

Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “A similar case came up before this court titled Shiv Charan versus the Chief Administrator and others decided on April 7. It would defy logic as to why these poor daily wage earners or rickshaw pullers were being put to trouble for reasons which primarily would relate to their poor conditions.”

Elaborating, Justice Ranjit Singh ruled: “The reasons for which the cancellation of the tenement has followed is that the petitioner had failed to raise the construction within the stipulated period. While acting in such cases, no consideration is given to the poverty and poor economic conditions of such persons which primarily is the reason for the non-construction.”

“The paucity of resources and money need to be given due consideration in such cases and cannot be completely ignored. Such poor persons can hardly save any amount or have any surplus for raising construction in time,” Justice Ranjit Singh asserted.

“Building inspectors would visit the site during their routine inspection and would report violations. This is what has happened in the case of the petitioner also and the allotment in his favour was cancelled on August 6, 2001, on the ground that he had failed to raise construction within the cut-off date. The petitioner, however, subsequently raised the construction and presently is living in the house. Ignoring such considerations, the Appellate Authority dismissed his appeal being time barred. The technicalities only have out weighed the other considerations, which may be equally important. Having failed before all such forums, the petitioner approached this court. In the present case, the petitioner has completed the construction. He has also handed over a photograph today to show that the cantilever has been removed. The cancellation order cannot be sustained and is set aside. It is hoped that the respondents would show some consideration to such poor people. The writ petition is accordingly allowed,” Justice Ranjit Singh asserted.

Chandigarh, May 11
Ten months after the Chandigarh police arrested a Pakistani spy from Sector 44, a local court today framed charges against the accused Kashif Ali in the case. Chief Judicial Magistrate JS Sidhu also framed charges against Gurpinder Singh, Jagdish Kumar, Kulwinder Singh and Anand Kumar who helped Kashif stay in the country on the basis of fake documents.

The charges were framed under Sections 3, 5 and 6 of the Official Secrets Act and Section 14 of the Foreigner’s Act against Kashif Ali. Charges under Sections 419, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC have been framed against all five accused.

The crime branch had arrested 24-year-old Pakistan-trained spy Kashif Ali from Sector 44 in July last year. He had been living in a rented accommodation for over two years and passing information about national security to Pakistan.

The police had seized sensitive information pertaining to national security from the possession of Kashif, who had been living in the city as Pawan Kumar, a resident of Delhi.

The accused was a resident of Zulfiqar Colony of Faisalabad in Pakistan and had been monitoring defence installations. But when the police intensified his interrogation, he disclosed his real identity.

The police also seized certain incriminating documents relating to the Indian Army and a digital camera.

A day later, the police arrested Kulwinder Singh of Sector 66, Mohali, Gurpinder Singh of Sector 47-C and Jagdish Kumar of Phase IV, Mohali, for providing Kashif with fake documents, including PAN card, voter ID card and a passport.

Gurpinder helped him in obtaining a fake matriculation certificate while Jagdish facilitated him in filling the passport form.

Anand Kumar, Kashif’s friend, was arrested for hatching a conspiracy along with Kashif for spying.

Zirakpur, May 11
The Zirakpur police today booked six persons for allegedly assaulting and kidnapping Rahul, a resident of Green Enclave, last night. Rahul was later released near Zirakpur flyover, opposite Paras Down Town Square, around 1.30 am.

The investigating officer said a case has been registered against Bhim Sen, a resident of Jarnail Enclave, Phase I, Bhoora and four unidentified persons on the complaint of Ankit Kumar, victim’s brother. While Bhim Sen was arrested, others were still absconding, the officer said.

Narrating the incident, Rahul said his father Ram Bhaj owned a shop of water purifier in Zirakpur. He had given a water purifier worth Rs 9,000 to Bhim Sen. Rahul alleged that Bhim Sen did not pay him the money despite several reminders.

The victim said, “Yesterday, Bhim Sen called on my mobile and asked me to take my money from his house at 8 pm.” Rahul reached at the house of the accused along with his father around 9 pm, but Bhim Sen kept dilly-dallying and did not give them the money. Rahul claimed that the accused again called him up around 10.30 pm and asked him to take the money.

He went to Bhim Sen’s house along with his brother Ankit, who was standing at some distance from the spot, to collect the money. Rahul alleged that when he rang the doorbell, the accused and his accomplices pulled him inside and started assaulting him with sharp edged weapons. He alleged that one of the accused was having a pistol in his possession.

The victim alleged that the accused took him to Pinjore side in their car and threatened to throw him from hills in Kalka.

Meanwhile, Ankit informed the police about the incident. Rahul alleged that after receiving a call from the police, Bhim Sen stopped his car near Pinjore. The accused were earlier also planning to demand a ransom of Rs 10 lakh from his family members, but later they dumped him near Zirakpur flyover around 1.30 am, Rahul alleged.

Rahul also claimed that the accused had snatched his three gold rings, a mobile phone, a watch and Rs 5,000 from his wallet.

Chandigarh, May 11
Thieves decamped with cash and jewellery worth lakhs in three separate cases in the city last night.

Dhawanjit Singh, a property dealer and a resident of Sector 8, had gone out with his family when their servant Shankar allegedly ran away with the entire cash in their house. Shankar was working with Dhawanjit from the past eight months. The victim had, however, not completed the formalities of his servant’s police verification. Acting on the complaint, a case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 3 police station. This is third incident in a week where a domestic help fled with valuables in the absence of his employer.

In another incident, thieves struck at the house of Kulbir Singh in Sector 37 and took away three gold rings, three watches, a gold mangalsutra, four pairs of silver anklets and one pair of bangles.

Kamaljit Kaur, a resident of Sector 45, reported that someone broke open the locks of her house no. 405 in Sector 20 and decamped with valuables. A case under Sections 454 and 380 the IPC has been registered at the Sector 19 police station.

Chandigarh, May 11
Chandigarh, Mohali and Patiala recorded wins on the basis of first innings lead in the ongoing tournament for U-16 ML Markan Trophy at different venues.

Earlier in the match being played at the Sector 16 cricket stadium here, Ropar resumed from their overnight score 18 for 1 and were all out on paltry 104 runs in 62 overs in their first innings thus conceded a lead of 213 runs. Only Sarthak Grover with 30 runs offered some resistance.

For Chandigarh, Sanjog Singh (3 for 28), Shubham Chand (2 for 14) and Bhagminder Singh (2 for 31) were the main wicket takers. Ropar’s batsmen put up some sensible display with bat. At the end of the play, Ropar were at 136 for 5 in 44 overs before the stumps were drawn. Jaideep Singh (30), Sahil Chander (21) made a steady start and added 49 runs for the first wicket. Sarthak Grover hit unbeaten 39 off 110 balls and was successful to intact one end with sensible batting. Shubham Chand claimed 3 for 48, followed by Sagar Sharma, who sent two batsmen back to pavilion for 10 runs. Chandigarh got two points for the first innings lead.

In their match against Bathinda at Dhruv Pandove Stadium in Patiala, the host team continued from an overnight total of 136 for 4 in 41 overs and declared their first innings at 305 for 7 in 81.3 overs after taking a lead of 182 runs. It was Anmol Malhotra, who smashed 94 off 94 balls with the help of 15 boundaries. Bathinda thwarted Patiala’s bid to secure an outright win by holding out to 188 for 8 in 39 overs before the play was called off with Patiala getting two points by virtue of the first innings lead. In Mohali, Ludhiana, replying to Mohali’s first innings total of 353, were bowled out for 174 in 62.2 overs. Ludhiana kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. The only notable contributions came from Mayank Bagria (34) Vishwanath Sahni (29), Nikhil Chaudhary (26) and Anirudh Aggarwal (21).

The bowling honours were shared by Amish Sidhu 3 for 28 and Harpreet Singh 3 for 69. Forced to follow on, Ludhiana were 60 for 2 in 31 overs when the stumps were drawn.

Scores: Chandigarh (first innings): 317 for 8 in 95 overs (Bhagminder Singh 105, Sanjog Singh 53, Rahul Kumar 47 n o, Jagjit Singh 22 n o and Harpreet Brar 5 for 96).

Ropar (first innings): 104 all out in 62 overs (Sarthak Grower 30, Kabiraj Singh 15, Shubhankar 15, Sanjog Singh 3 for 28, Shubham Chand 2 for 14 and Bhagminder Singh 2 for 31). Ropar (second innings): 136 for 5 in 44 overs (Sarthak Grower 39, Jaideep Singh 30, Sahil Chander 21, Shubham Chand 3 for 48 and Sagar Sharma 2 for 10).

Bathinda (first innings): 123 all out in 62.3 overs (Navkaran Sharma 64 n o, Girish 25, Ashutosh 3 for 21 and Navendu Sharma 3 for 27). Patiala (first innings): 305 for 7 in 81.3 overs (Mandeep Singh 63, Manveer Singh 30, Anmol Malhotra 94, Deepak Kapil 31, Jagrit Kaushal 3 for 113 and Plash 2 for 85). Bathinda (first innings): 188 for 8 in 39 overs (Girish 64, Rahul Sharma 41 n o, Tanish Gill 3 for 39, Ashutosh 2 for 55 and Sahil 2 for 37). Mohali (first innings): 353 for all out in 94.5 overs (Shubam Gill 132, Ramandeep Singh 102, Khushpreet Singh 50, Nikhil Choudhary 3 for 130 and Parul Mahndirata 3 for 36). Ludhiana (first innings): 174 all out in 62.2 overs (Mayank Bagria 34, Vishwanath Sahni 29, Nikhil Chaudhary 26, Anirudh Aggarwal 21, Amish Sidhu 3 for 28 and Harpreet Singh 3 for 69). Ludhiana (second Innings): 60 for 2 in 31 overs (Mayank Bagria 42 and Harpreet Singh 2 for 15).

Chandigarh, May 11
The Chandigarh Wrestling Association is organising the State Sub-Junior and Junior Wrestling Championship for boys and girls on May 14 and 15 at the Wrestling Coaching Centre in Sector 30. Association’s general secretary Darshan Lal said state teams would be selected for the forthcoming junior and sub-junior national wrestling meets.

The junior nationals would be conducted in Jammu from June 16 to 19 and sub-junior nationals would be hosted at Kanyakumari from July 2 to 5. The first two position winners in each category will attend a coaching camp, which will commence on May 16. On May 14, weighing-in will be held from 9 to 10 am. — TNS