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Chandigarh, December 1
The desire to visit Canada and New Zealand for greener pastures proved sour for two youths when the immigration consultants failed to provide them with the work permit (visa) even after spending huge amounts as consultancy fee.

After Altus Education and Immigration Consultants Private Limited, the immigration firm, refused to refund their amount, the two filed a case against the firm in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I for a refund of the amount.

The district forum comprising president PD Goel and members Rajinder Singh Gill and Madanjit Kaur Sahota slapped a fine of Rs 30,000 on the opposite party and directed it to refund Rs 1.34 lakh to the two complainants.

The forum also directed the opposite party to pay Rs 10,000 to the two complainants towards the costs of litigation.

One of the complainants, Balraj Singh of Kot Panech village, Ludhiana district, had submitted that he had approached the opposite party after going through an advertisement in a newspaper. The agency told him that they were competent to obtain and arrange the work permit (visa) for two years (extendable) under various categories like farming, hotel waiter and company supervisor, packing fruits and vegetables and driver in Canada on a salary of around $ 3,000 (Rs 1.20 lakh per month).

The complainant submitted the requisite documents to the opposite company for work permit in Canada and New Zealand and paid Rs 22,000 (Rs 10,000 as consultancy fee and Rs 12,000 as telegraphic transfer fee).

Besides, he was required to pay Rs 75,000 after getting the job letter by way of a demand draft, which included the embassy fee, medical, labour market opinion, human resource skill and development charges for Canada, etc.

He alleged that the agency neither submitted the documents to the embassy nor gave the file number to him.

Thereafter, he visited the opposite party to know the status of the file and the date on which the documents were forwarded to the embassy.

He was told to pay Rs 75,000 in case he wanted to get the visa and on December 13, 2010, the opposite party informed him that his application had been accepted and also advised to deposit the processing fee.

He averred that that a letter was shown to him in which it was stated that the fee was refundable only after six months if he was not successfully placed.

Upon this, he gave a demand draft for Rs 75,000 to the opposite party and thereafter, a contract of engagement was entered between the parties.

He further averred that the opposite party remained silent and so, he tried to contract the addressee shown in the acceptance letter but to no effect.

Later, the opposite party told him that his case could not be forwarded and the amount of Rs 60,000 was refunded against the total amount of Rs 97,000.

No one appeared on behalf of the opposite party to contest the case and the case was decided ex parte.

The forum observed: “In our considered view, the opposite party has failed to render the promised services to the complainant and thus it has committed deficiency in service and indulged in unfair trade practice. Hence, the complainant is entitled to the refund of total amount deposited by him with the opposite party.”

Chandigarh, December 1
The police has arrested five members of a gang who used to steal goods worth lakhs loaded in trucks and sell them off in Dimapur, Nagaland.

The gangsters used to fake their identity and get hired as drivers with transporters and then flee off with trucks loaded with goods worth lakhs on finding an opportunity.

The gangsters have been identified as Sunil Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Shamsher Singh, Narinder Kumar and Varinder, all residents of Rohtak in Haryana. The police said besides stealing goods, the accused also sold off the vehicles.

Charanjeet Singh, SHO, Sector 39 police station, said the accused, Sunil, stole a truck loaded with electric goods, garments and cosmetics of Solar Logistic Company, Maloya, near Sector 39 on November 18. The value of the goods was around Rs 15 lakhs. Sunil had taken the job of a driver with the fake identity of Rajesh Kumar of Rohtak with the company two months back.

The police said Narinder and Shamsher helped Sunil to dispose off the vehicles in Dimapur and valuable luggage, articles were kept by Varinder and Ashok at their farmhouse, which is also situated in Rohtak.

Sunil had also similarly allured another person in Palwal (Faridabad) and fled away with his truck loaded with aluminum worth lakhs on October 4. The police said the accused had three similar cases registered against him in Delhi and one in Rohtak.

Chandigarh, December 1
Monika, a resident of Maloya, allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from the ceiling fan at their residence last night.

The police has booked the deceased’s husband, Vinod Kumar, in a case of abetment to suicide under Section 309 of the IPC.

Family members of the deceased told the police that Vinod used to harass her, resulting, which she took the extreme step.

Chandigarh, December 1
A 21-year-old youth alleged that he was kidnapped by four unidentified youths while he was on his way to a tuition centre in Sector 20.

He told the police that he was abandoned in Dera Bassi and later returned to the city on his own. However, the police is taking the entire incident with a pinch of salt, as there are some loopholes in the story narrated by the youth.

Vivek, a resident of Sector 11, told the police that he went to his tuition classes for shorthand typing in Sector 20 when he went to attend the nature’s call while in the market. Four unidentified persons then summoned him and one of them put a handkerchief on his mouth, following which he fell unconscious.

The youth gained consciousness when he realised he was in Dera Bassi. The police has lodged a DDR (daily diary report) in the Sector 19 police station and is investigating.

SHO Janak Rana said the youth’s father told them that his son is suffering from depression and had taken money from him before leaving home.

“We are looking into the loopholes in the story,” he said.

Panchkula, December 1
A businessman alleged that he was robbed of his car and other valuables at gun point by two youths. The incident occurred in Sector 5 last night. The victim, Anil Gupta, is a resident of Sector 10. Anil Gupta was in his office at basement near KC theatre at the time of incident. 

The police said Gupta who deals in shares was in his office when the two youths pointed a revolver and asked him to lie down. Then the youths picked Anil’s car key and two mobile phones. The duo also took out his two gold rings from his fingers. After tying Anil with a table, the two fled away, added the police. After a few minutes, Gupta managed to free himself and raised the alarm. The police have registered a case against the two unidentified persons.

Chandigarh, December 1
Even after a fortnight, the officials of the UT education department have failed to take action against coaches, who came under the scanner after a few players of the junior (U-14) football team accused the coaches of harassment during the school national games held in Goa.

The incident was highlighted two weeks ago but notably till date no report pertaining to the incident has been submitted with the director public instruction (DPI).

The district education officer (DEO), Chanchal Singh, was assigned the job of submitting the report but he failed to do the same as he said, he was waiting for PS Brar, state sports organisers (education department), who ironically has nothing to do with the issue.

“I was waiting for him as the matter is regarding sports; however, he has nothing to do with the case. Now I came to know that he is not well and off to medical leave, I will submit the report in a day or so,” said Chanchal Singh. Earlier, in an outrageous incident, players of the junior (U-14) football team, who represented the city in the school national games held in Goa, accused two officials of harassment.

In the incident, two coaches, Sewa Singh and Parveen, came under scanner when the parents of some players filed a written complaint with the authorities after they came to know that the players were asked to give massage, clean utensils and even to take out liquor bottles from accused coaches’ bags during the competition.

“The officer in-charge of the case met us and our children for queries on the very next day after the news was published. We were assured a strict action. Now it is on the authorities to take it or not. It was our duty to make them aware of the incident that took place,” said a complainant, Vinay Kanwar, former national football player and father of Sankalp Kanwar (one of the players).

Mohali, December 1
Teams of Mohali Blue, Stepping Stones, Baptist school and Millennium Cricket Academy won their respective matches in the ongoing Mohali Premier League 2011 being held, here today.

In first match of the day, Mohali Red went down against Mohali Blue by six wickets. Batting first, the loosing side scored a total of 166-runs in the allotted 35 overs slot. Batsmen Sumeet Ohri (41) and Gulshan (37) were the main scorers for the team while for bowling side, Maninder and Jagteshwar Singh took two wickets each.

In reply, the blue team achieved the target in 29 overs with Anmoljeet Singh (61) and Manul Jain (27) guiding the team to victory.

Brief Scores:

Mohali Red-166 for 7 in 35 overs (Sumeet Ohri 41,Gulshan 37, Maninder Singh 2 for 24, Jagteshwar2 for 31).

Mohali Blue-168 for 4 in 29 overs (Anmoljeet Singh 61, Manul Jain 27 Maninder Singh 24, Sumeet Ohri 2 for 21).

The second match of the day went to Stepping Stone’s after the team defeated MCA (A) team by 20-runs. Elected to bat first, Stepping’s team set a target of 127 runs for 3.

Sanyam was the most noticeable batsmen of the team for his 57 off 57 while for bowling side Jashan took 2 for 18.

In reply, the MCA (A) team failed to achieve the target and managed to score 107 for 5. Harry (21) was the main scorer for the team while Hardik took 2 for 18.

Brief Score:

Stepping Stone’s-127 for 3 in 20 overs (Sanyam 57, Hardik 31 Jashan 2 for 18).

MCA (A)-107 for 5 in 20 overs (Harry 21, Chirag 20, Hardik 2 for 10)

In the third match, the Millennium Cricket Academy defeated MCA (B) team by 75-runs.

Batting first, the Millennium academy scored a total of 118-runs in the allotted slot. Jasdeep (42) guided the team to achieve the target. For MCA (B) team Divyank was the pick of the bowlers for grabbing 3 for 18.

In reply, the batsmen of MCA (B) team failed to face the bowling attack and bundled out for 43-runs. Prabhmehar took 3 for 14 and Aush claimed 2 for 9.

Chandigarh, December 1
The UT sports department will organise the Senior Chandigarh Weightlifting Tournament (Men and Women) from December 8 and 9, at Weightlifting Hall at Sports Complex, Sector 42, here.

District sports officer, KS Bharti, said only bona-fide players of the city can participate in the tourney and the top three position holders will be awarded with cash prizes. As per information, no entry fee will be charged from the participants. The interested players should submit their entries to weightlifting coach KDS Nagra, on or before December 7.

Chandigarh, December 1
The UT education department will conduct trials to select team for the upcoming 57th National School Games to be held at different places.

The players can attend the trials in proper kit along with their school identification cards.

Cricket: Boys (U-14) on December 5 at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19 at 8.30 am; Boys (U-16) on December 7 at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, at 8.30am; Boys (U-19) on December 8 at11.30am at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 26; kabaddi Boys’ and Girls’ (U-19) on December 9 at 11.30 am at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector10; Handball; Boys (U-19) at 11:30am and Girls at 2.30 pm on December 9 at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19; netball Boys’ (U-17) 11.30 am and Girls 2.30pm December 9 at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 20.

Chandigarh, December 1
With only three wickets needed to pack up Delhi’s first innings, Punjab bowlers showed a great display of bowling on the first day of Vijay Merchant Cricket Tournament for Boys (U-16), being held at Dhruv Pandove Stadium, Patiala, here today.

Elected to bat first, the visitors lost two early wickets on mere total of 26 runs but the 105-run partnership for the third wicket by Vivek Bhatu and Himmat Singh, helped the team to achieve the total.

Himmat Singh scored 65 off 121 inclusive of 13 boundaries while Vivek Bhatu remained unbeaten on 94 off 253 studded of ten boundaries.

For Punjab, Ashutosh Kumar (3 for 57) was the main wicket taker while Harpreet Brar claimed 2 for 71.

Brief scores:

Delhi-230 for 7 in 94 overs (Vivek Bhatu 94 NO, Himmat Singh 65, Ashutosh Kumar 3 for 57, Harpreet Brar 2 for 71, Arpit Pannu 1 for 34, Khushpreet 1 for 27).

Chandigarh, December 1
City kabaddi association will conduct trials to select its kabaddi team at kabaddi grounds of Sports Complex Sector 42, on December 2 at 3 pm, here.

The authorities will conduct the trials to select the players for representing the city in the upcoming junior-national games for boys and girls to be held at Vadodara in Gujarat from December 27 to 30.

The players born on or after January 1, 1992 and weighing 65 kg (Boys) and 60 kg (Girls) are eligible to take part in the trials.

Jasbir Singh, president of the association, said as per new rules, the players should bring their original date of birth certificates including an attested photograph by the head of their institution.

Chandigarh, December 1
The Chandigarh Amateur Boxing association will hold trails to select senior the women boxing team at PML SD Public School, Sector 32, on December 4 at 4 pm, here.

The players will be selected to represent the city in the upcoming 6th Senior Women North Zone Boxing Championship to be held at Hoshiarpur, Punjab from December 10 to 11.

On other hand, the authorities have selected the following boxers to play for city in the forthcoming 58th Senior Men National Boxing Championship to be held at Karaikkudi in Tamil Nadu from December 5 to 10.

Selected Players: 49kg-Sumit Hooda; 52 kg-Vikas Dahiya; 56 kg-Pawan Shekhwat; 60 kg- Sagar; 64 kg-Naresh Kumar; 69kg-Sajjan Malkat; 75 kg-Gaganpreet Sharma; 81kg-Tejpartap Singh; 91 kg-Deepak; +91 kg -Rajbir Singh and Om Parkash (coach).

Chandigarh, December 1
Junior State Football Championship for Girls will be organised from Decembe 5 to 9 by the Chandigarh Football Association at Football Stadium, Sector 17, here.

The players born on or after January 1, 1994 will be eligible to participate in the championship. The association will also select 25 probables for the city team to participate in the forthcoming Junior Girls National Football Championship to be held in January next year.