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Girl, grandmom run over
4 hijack truck with medicines worth Rs 1.25 cr
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Retd Army officer, 2 others jailed for defrauding MoD
MCD engineers face heat after court rebuke
Experimenting with living-in at 50
MPs join campaign to save tigers
Consumption of diesel falls
Bikers rob disabled trader of lakhs
Couple commits suicide
NRI woman jumps to death from
14th floor
4 get life for murder
Schoolboy crushed by train Drunken driving
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Girl, grandmom run over
New Delhi, December 18 According to the official, "Krishna (56) and her granddaughter Alice Bharti (13) had left home in Daryaganj and were heading to a relative's place at Kali Masjid. Alice's father Rakesh Bharti was walking with them on Asaf Ali Road. He had crossed it and was waiting for them. Krishna and Alice were walking near the pavement when a speeding DTC bus ran over them around 12.15 pm. They died on the spot." The official added that a tyre of the bus had crushed their heads. Krishna was also injured on her chest and legs. Their bodies have been kept at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, where the post-mortem will be conducted tomorrow. Alice's cousin Muskan was also present with them at the time of the accident, according to sources. She, however, escaped near death and was injured. She was thereafter rushed to LNJP Hospital, where she is recuperating. Rakesh Bharti, who owns a restaurant in Paharganj, said, "I had crossed over to buy some items. Krishna and my daughter were walking along the road when the DTC bus ran over them". Alice's uncle Deen Dayal said, "A trainee driver was behind the steering wheel who appeared drunk. The professional driver was sitting beside him. The bus first rammed into a rickshaw and then ran over Krishna and Alice." The official said the driver, Amar Singh (38), had been arrested. Alice was a student of Class IX at Navshakti Vidhya
Mandir. |
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4 hijack truck with medicines worth Rs 1.25 cr
New Delhi, December 18 After arriving in vehicles fitted with VIP sirens, on the pretext of a routine check, they robbed the truck. The police first learnt that the truck was hijacked in Kurukshetra around 1.30 am on December 9. The truck was intercepted by the robbers who had arrived in Balero and Innova cars that were fitted with VIP sirens. They hijacked the truck at gunpoint. The robbers bound the hands and legs of the driver and his helper and also covered their faces. Later, the driver and the helper were dropped at an isolated stretch on the Bhadra road, 40 km away from Hissar. The medicines were being transported from Baddi, Himachal Pradesh and to be delivered at Nagpur. The investigations revealed that the looted medicines were hidden in Mundka. The gang planned to search for a buyer and use the hijacked truck for transportation and delivery of the medicines. The truck was found parked in an isolated location in Burari. The police accordingly were waiting in ambush near the truck to apprehend the culprits. They remained there from December 10 to 13. The police thereafter raided the suspects' hideouts in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer district) BS Jaiswal said on December 14, the culprits stole another truck in Narela. They planned to use it to transport the medicines. The DCP said on December 17, the culprits who were transporting the medicines in the truck to Haryana were passing via Sultanpuri. The truck was intercepted near the Sultanpuri bus terminal. Sanjay, Sandeep, Suresh and Sonu were apprehended with 968 cartons of looted medicines belonging to LUPIN Company. These are worth Rs 1.25 crore. The police also seized the Innova car used in the commission of the crime. The police is now searching for other members of the gang, Pawan Saini, his brother Satish, Rajesh and Jangbir. They are all residents of Bhiwani, Haryana. During the interrogation, the accused said Pawan and Suresh arranged for the Innova and Balero cars and the sirens. Their plan was to use the siren to intercept the truck on the highway. |
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Retd Army officer, 2 others jailed for defrauding MoD
New Delhi, December 18 "It can be inferred beyond reasonable doubt that all the three accused were acting in connivance to attain their illegal object of defrauding the ministry of defence," Special Judge VK Maheshwari said. Lt Col (Retd) PS Rao was sentenced to two years imprisonment, while upper division clerk Deepak Dutt Mudgal and his brother Rahul Dutt Mudgal were awarded four years in jail. In 1994, Rao was posted as deputy director ordinance service (DDOS) in inventory and budget control (I&BC) section at the Army Headquarters here while Deepak was working under him. The court held them guilty of criminal conspiracy, forgery, cheating, impersonation and criminal misconduct by public servant. The court showed leniency towards Rao as he is suffering from cancer. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Rao and Rs 2 lakh each on Rahul and Deepak. The CBI said the I&BC section dealt with allocation of revenue budget to various units and was not authorised to procure any store item on its own or issue sanction for its purchase. However, Rao, in conspiracy with Deepak and his brother, opened three bogus and non-existing firms and Rahul was shown as their proprietor. They then prepared 32 bogus bills, false sanction orders, notice inviting tenders, quotations and other related documents and got them passed fraudulently. The agency said Rao had prepared bogus sanction orders and forged signatures of the sanctioning authority and items like paper shredding machines, laminating machines, intercom sets, dicta phones, storage cabinet and over head projectors were falsely shown as purchased. Besides the trio, there were five other accused in the case who were discharged by the court in 2005.
— PTI |
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Delhiites stay in due to chill
New Delhi, December 18 While a blanket of mist kept the residents away from the sun, cold winds blowing through the city kept people indoors till early afternoon. According to officials of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), in the past few days, the mercury has registered a downward movement. Today, the minimum temperature settled at 5 degree Celsius, three degrees below the normal. The maximum remained 1 degree above the season's average at 23 degree Celsius. The humidity was recorded between 36 and 94 per cent. The coldest day of the season was December 16, when the minimum slipped to 4.7 degree Celsius. The maximum on the day was to 21.7 degrees. According to the IMD registry, the lowest ever December temperature was recorded on December 26, 1945 when the mercury had fallen to 1.1 degree Celsius, Yesterday, the minimum and maximum temperatures were recorded at 5 and 21.8 degrees, respectively. However, for tomorrow, the weather department has forecast some respite from the chill, with the mercury is predicted to oscillate between 7 and 23 degrees Celsius. Nonetheless, the morning could be foggy. |
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Vintage car, bike rally brings royal era alive
New Delhi, December 18 A caravan of over 50 vintage cars and motor-cycles flagged off in the splendid flaunt of the rally from Panchsheel Club Delhi towards their destination, 21 Gun Salute - a royal dining experience in Sector 29, Gurgaon. Memories of an old royal era came alive when Maharaja Manujendra Shah Sahib Bahadur of Tehri Garhwal flagged off the parade. The parade begun from Delhi Pansheel Park covering Vasant Vihar, NH-8, Huda City Metro Station, Leisure Valley and concluded at 21 Gun Salute Restaurant. Moment the vintage beauties took to the road from the Panchsheel Park Delhi, the enthusiastic spectators cheered along the way serving them a feast to their eyes. The audience was left spellbound as they saw the best, elegant and beautiful collection of cars and motorbikes of the bygone era. Organised in association with Heritage Motoring Club of India (HMCI) and a curtain raiser to the month-long 21 Gun Salute Royal Food Festival, the vintage drive has seen the marquees of bygone era from the 1920s era to the glorious time of 1965s. Most of them were the unfathomed saloons and convertibles from the imperial houses of Rolls Royce, Stutz, Buick, Ford, Chevrolet, Austin Martin and Bentley. It was a trip down memory lane not only for vintage car enthusiasts but for those relish rare cuisines of royal kitchens of Gwalior, Mewad, Awadh, Jaisalmer, Hyderabad Kashmir and other parts of India. Diljeet Titus, secretary general of the Heritage Motoring Club of India, said. "Like vintage cars, places like 21 Gun Salute are the modern India's destination, depicting our years old culture and rich heritage. We are delighted to be a part of this unique festival of royalty and look forward to participate in many more festivals at 21 Gun Salute." |
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MCD engineers face heat after court rebuke
New Delhi, December 18 The court last week observed that the entire engineering department of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had "decayed" and become an example of "bad governance". It issued show-cause notices to nine MCD engineers, seeking replies on why they should not be made to pay the cost of demolition of the unauthorised construction that came up under their watch. DM Narang, president of a residents' welfare association, appreciated the court's move, calling it the first step to bell the engineering department, "the most corrupt civic body department". Narang said: "Every second building in Delhi is an unauthorised construction which has been allowed by the engineers in their respective zones. This showcases how they mint money". The municipal governance pertaining to building activities is under the jurisdiction of the engineering department of the MCD. According to residents, civic engineers first take money to allow illegal constructions without thoroughly verifying the documents required and then demand bribes for not taking action against their buildings. Sanjay Kaul, president of People's Action Group, an advocacy group, said: "MCD engineers seem to be working for local politicians, not citizens. The civic body is so used to corruption...if you go to an MCD office for a construction pass, they need to be bribed." A prominent builder in Delhi on the condition of anonymity, "Even during demolition drives, the MCD adopts a discriminatory stance. Only politicians' buildings are first surveyed and given notice. They are given adequate time to approach lawyers. But the common man doesn't have this luxury. Their buildings will be razed like a pack of cards." He alleged that MCD officials were extorting Rs 25-30 lakh every day from aggrieved building owners with the promise that their premises would not be razed. Even as Parliament last Wednesday passed a bill to stop all sealing and razing of unauthorised colonies in Delhi till 2014 with a promise to regularise them, the government has been silent on the fate of those who have already suffered. Asked about those who have already faced demolition before the passing of The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Bill, 2011, urban development minister Kamal Nath evaded a direct reply, saying: "...so that it doesn't happen in future, they got this
bill." — IANS |
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Experimenting with living-in at 50
New Delhi, December 18 A concept which till recently was perceived as a threat to the very institution of marriage, a popular culture that was thought to be the preserve of the frivolous and wavering few, a phrase that no one even dropped in the presence of family elders, forget remotely associating with it, the very same concept is today getting recognised as an option for single elderly people. And much of this recognition is the result of a matchmaking function held in Ahmedabad last month where single old men and women sought live-in partners. Though similar initiatives have been taken in Hyderabad earlier, the noise this one created left many wrinkled eyes gleaming. Malhotra, a retired engineer, was one of the 300 prospective men at the function organised by NGO Vina Mulya Amulya Seva's Natubhai Patel. The grandfather to five got talking with a Bangalore-based woman who decided to come over and live with him in his Delhi house for five days. "We used to do yoga, go for walks, listen to music by sharing headphones like youngsters do. She infused fresh energy in my life. I feel so alive," Malhotra, who lost his wife two years ago, said. Malhotra has three sons, but they live away. "They are very busy with their families. But I am lonely. There's nobody to inquire about my health. If I die, they won't even get to know. There's no one to come home to," said Malhotra. In a society where the death of a partner mostly means a slow, painful wait for one's own, where the perils of nuclear families are throwing the old into oblivion, where a remarriage brands you as being unfaithful to your dead spouse, the concept redefines the way one looks at old age. "It's a great social experiment. The trend will grow because of the very nature of urbanisation. A lot of people are lonely by 60, they want companionship. Live-in is built on a contract. It's temporary, allows for flexibility, variety and a second chance," says Shiv Vishwanathan, a sociologist. "Divorces are messy," shoots Sona Gandhi with a conviction that comes from bitter memories. The mother of a college-going boy called it quits 15 years ago because of her "cruel" in-laws. She liked two men at the Ahmedabad 'mela', but "one of them had a problem with my son; he wanted someone who was 'issueless', while the other one thought I was too young", says the 43-year-old with a chuckle. Though people in her office and neighbourhood did raise eyebrows, Gandhi is unperturbed. "Now I have my son, but when he will get married, I will be left alone. What will I do then?" she asks. According to 52-year-old Ritika Dhingra, who got divorced 15 years ago, "Finding a live-in partner is not about sexual need. You can get sex easily; you need someone for more than that. I would love to have a companion with whom I can travel." "At this age, you need someone who gives you space. Live-in is a testing ground to understand each other's temperament." But there are problems aplenty, foremost being the property issue. "Two of my sons are protesting over my relationship as they are worried I will hand over my property to her. Had I been dependent on them, they would have thrown me out," says Malhotra in a matter-of-fact way. Avenash Datta, country head (programs) HelpAge India, said, "Live-in is a bad word for old people. That's why they are a bit hesitant. Gujarat has a liberal framework, but there are some societies where even youngsters can't openly talk about live-ins." According to HelpAge, India's grey population is above 90 million. "The social stigma holds the elderly back. There's a need for companionship, which is privately expressed. But the biradari (clan) takes it as if you are of loose character or something," said Datta. Amit Kumar, who looks after old age homes run by the New Delhi Municipal Council, says: "It's a great idea. A lot of people have lost their spouses and are lonely. But it's their personal choice, not everyone will have such broad thinking."
— IANS |
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MPs join campaign to save tigers
New Delhi, December 18 The awareness rally, flagged off by the Vice-President, Hamid Ansari in the morning, was aimed at making people conscious about the need to protect the country's national animal and in the attempt the ministers also joined the cause with their families. Jointly organised by the Constitutional Club of India and JK Tyre and Industries Ltd, the second edition of the rally travelled through various parts of the city on a foggy weekend. According to the participants, irrespective of political parties, saving the diminishing animal is the call of the hour as the population of tigers is going down at a worrying rate owing to illegal poaching and destruction of their habitats which are the biggest challenges faced in the fight to save the endangered animal. For this safeguarding measures need to be taken on a fast mode. On the occasion, MP and BJP leader Pratap Rudy said, "This is an opportunity of Parliament to express the solidarity and be agent to spread awareness across the country for the national animal, tiger. This time we have chosen a different topic of awareness, which is 'save our tigers'. It's a national cause. Post independence, we have lost about 40,000 tigers and hardly 1,400 have left. It's a cause at the end of the year, beyond politics, beyond parties. I think it's a fun event, but at the same time a cause is there and this cause is worthy if more members of Parliament participate in it." "It is a privilege to partner for the car rally to raise public consciousness about tiger conservation," said Rahul Saighal, chief marketing officer, Aircel. |
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Consumption of diesel falls
New Delhi, December 18 While 8.11 lakh metric tonne diesel was sold in 2010-2011, 10.98 lakh metric tonne of the fuel was sold in 2009-2010, a drop of around 3 lakh metric tonne. Government officials attribute this drop in the consumption of diesel, at a time when the number of vehicles had been increasing, to the success of the public transport system and the expansion of the Metro network. "People who own vehicles are increasingly shifting to the public transport system as it has been improved to a great extent in the run up to the Commonwealth Games," said a senior government official. The fall in the consumption of diesel comes despite an increase in the number of vehicles in the city. Around five lakh new cars were added to the city in 2010-2011. As per the records, the number of vehicles in the city in 2009-2010 was 64.51 lakh, which elevated to 69.32 lakh in 2010-2011. In 1981, the city had only 5.62 lakh vehicles. On an average, over 1,000 vehicles are added to the city roads everyday. The number of vehicles in Delhi is more than the combined number of vehicles in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. In contrast to the decline in the usage of diesel, the city guzzled 2.24 per cent more petrol in the same period. In 2010-11, the city had consumed 8.25 lakh metric tonne petrol as against 8.07 lakh metric tonne in the previous year. The consumption of petrol, which was 6.12 lakh metric tonne in 2003-04, has been on the rise while the consumption of diesel has been on the decline since
2007-08. |
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Bikers rob disabled trader of lakhs
New Delhi, December 18 A police official said the victim, Gagan Kapoor, who is a resident of New Layalpur in Chander Nagar, was going to his office at Shambhunath in Gandhinagar when the incident happened. Kapoor, who is handicapped in the legs, operates a garment-sticker business. He usually leaves home for office with Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakh, according to the official. "This morning, Kapoor left house for his office on a scooter. When he reached Govind Venkat Gali in Geeta Colony around 11 am, two men on a motorcycle came abreast with his scooter and kicked it. After Kapoor fell down, they snatched his bag containing Rs 20 lakh and demand drafts worth Rs 5 lakh. When he protested, one of them threatened him with a knife," said the official. A police constable, who arrived there on his motorcycle, attempted to chase the assailants, but they escaped. |
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Couple commits suicide
Ghaziabad, December 18 The 24-year old girl, Shilpi
Rana, who is an MBA and her boyfriend were found dead in her rented house in Sun City last night. The girl was sharing the flat with her friends, who were at work when the incident took place. Late night, when one of the roommates returned from work she found Shilpi and her 26-year-old boyfriend Kumar
Gaurav, lying dead inside the flat. The couple, both from Bijnore, knew each other since there college days, but their families were opposed to their affair. No suicide note was found in the house, but it has been suspected that they took the extreme step due to the disapproval of their family.
— PTI |
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NRI woman jumps to death from
14th floor
Ghaziabad, December 18 "Prima facie it seems a case of depression," said Kamlesh
Bahadur, police circle officer III. She and her husband Bharat Prakash Gupta, a senior manager at US aerospace major Boeing, had come to visit her mother and younger brother here. The two got married 10 years ago. Both had divorced their previous
partners. Sunita’s 78-year-old mother was ill and her brother had recently been divorced.
— IANS |
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4 get life for murder
New Delhi, December 18 Additional sessions judge Sudhir Kumar Jain noted that Sunil was a young man with a wife and a child and "the four convicts have deprived his family of his love and affection". The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each on them. Vinod, Dany, Ratania and Vicky - all residents of Rohini in north-west Delhi -murdered Sunil by repeatedly stabbing him in 2008 over a previous quarrel.
— PTI |
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