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Chandigarh, January 2
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum II has slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 to Hyundai Motors India Ltd for not giving discount under the exchange scheme to a Mohali-based resident.

The district forum also directed the Hyundai Motors (opposite party No. 1) to release the amount of Rs 10,000, along with interest of 9 per cent per annum, from the date it became due, till the date of payment. The forum also directed Ultimate Automobiles Pvt Ltd (opposite party No. 2) to pay a corporate discount of Rs 2,000, which had already been paid by the opposite party No. 1, to the complainant.

The complainant, Paramjit Kaur, submitted that she had purchased a vehicle from the opposite party No.1 for Rs 3,55,631 and she was entitled to a discount of Rs 2,000 under corporate discount and Rs 10,000 as exchange discount. She submitted all relevant papers for availing the said discount to the opposite parties, but the same was not released to her.

The counsel for the opposite party No. 1 submitted that after the sale of the vehicle and on receipt of all documents from the complainant, the claim was forwarded to the opposite party No. 2 which had not approved the claim so far. It further submitted that the corporate claim of Rs 2,000 was approved and sanctioned by the opposite party No. 2 and the same was offered to the complainant, but she had refused to accept the money saying the total amount of Rs 12,000 be released to her.

The opposite party No. 2 in its reply averred that the complainant never submitted any documents relating to the exchange bonus scheme to them. The corporate bonus of Rs 2,000 had already been disbursed to the opposite party No.1 for onward payment to the complainant and exchange bonus was not payable as the complainant failed to fulfil the mandatory condition of submission of documents for her entitlement to the exchange discount. It was further submitted that there was no document placed on record by the complainant that she had applied with the terms and conditions of the exchange bonus and had sold her old vehicle to a third party. Hence, there was no reason for payment of exchange bonus to her.

The forum further observed that refusal by the opposite party No.2 for making the payment to the complainant for the exchange bonus in such a situation would amount to absolute negligence and deficiency in service in performing their duty. 

Chandigarh, January 2
Failure to provide apartments has cost Mohali-based Nectar Co-operative House Building Society dear as the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I has directed the society to pay Rs 13,76,780 to three residents of Kangra district

District forum comprising president PD Goel and members Rajinder Singh Gill and Madanjit Kaur Sahota stated that the society was also liable to pay 12 per cent interest per annum from the respective date of its deposit till realisation.

Inderaswer Agnihotri (complainant No. 1) submitted that he had purchased a share/flat in the said society and paid a sum of Rs 10,500 towards earnest money/share and Rs 510 as share and administrative fee. He deposited a sum of Rs 5 lakh as land cost/part payment and the opposite party had promised that the project would start within a couple of months after obtaining the requisite permission from the authorities concerned and getting the sale deed registered in favour of the society. He alleged that as after waiting, no construction of any sort was started, no boundary wall was constructed and demarcation was not got done, which caused a doubt in his mind. Despite repeated requests, the opposite party failed to refund the deposited amount, he added.

Similar complaints were filed in the district forum against the society by Devi Chand Chauhan (complainant no 2) and Rajiv Sethi (complainant No. 3), also residents of Kangra district, to seek relief. The two had booked the apartments by depositing Rs 5,11, 010 and Rs 3,54,760, respectively.

The counsel for Balkar Singh, secretary (opposite party No. 3) and Raj Kumar Goyal (opposite party No. 5), secretary and vice-president, respectively, raised preliminary objections.

The society went into liquidation and registrar of the cooperative societies by taking cognisance appointed liquidator in April, 2007, and in pursuance to the orders of registrar, the liquidator took over all assets and properties of the society and had to settle the claims of members of the society ‘if any’ and in that context, the executive body of the society was also dissolved.

Thus, the Consumer Courts did not have any jurisdiction to entertain and try the present complaints. It was further stated that the opposite party never issued any receipt regarding the payment which was issued to the complainants by the cashier of the society. All correspondence for demanding instalments have also been done by the president.

Sudeep Singh Sabharwal (opposite party No. 2), Kulwinder Kaur (opposite 4), president and cashier, respectively, and official liquidator (opposite party No. 6) did not appear and suffered ex-parte.aThe forum also directed the opposite party to pay Rs 20,000 each as costs of litigation to complainants No. 1 and 2 and Rs 15,000 to complainant No. 3.

Chandigarh, January 2
The police today arrested a notorious vehicle lifter, Bhim Rattan, along with his three accomplice. Accused Bhim is a resident of Hisar district in Haryana and is facing vehicle theft charges in more than 100 cases of vehicle lifting across the northern region.

The accomplice, identified as Sunil Kumar, Dharampal, both residents of Rohtak, and Suresh, a resident of Hisar district in Haryana, were also arrested. All four were arrested near Kaimbwala village.

Inspector Ranjit Singh said two stolen vehicles, including an Innova and one Indigo, which were being used with fake registration plates, were recovered from their possession. Both vehicles were stolen from Chandigarh. The police has also recovered two fake registration certificates (RC) of both stolen vehicles.

Bhim is the kingpin of a huge interstate gang of vehicle lifters.

y Two stolen vehicles, including an Innova and one Indigo, which were being used with fake registration plates, were recovered from their possession. Both vehicles were stolen from Chandigarh. The police has also recovered two fake registration certificates (RC) of both stolen vehicles

Chandigarh, January 2
The UT police today arrested a junior assistant with Milkfed in Sector 32 for threatening his wife with a pistol. The accused, Surinder Singh, was arrested on the complaint of his wife, Kulbir Kaur, who is the legal adviser of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

The police said the couple was having strained relations for quiet some time.

A high drama was witnessed late last night at the couple’s residence in house number 2529 in Sector 37-C when Surinder allegedly threatened Kulbir at a gunpoint. Kulbir told the police that her sister-in-law, a resident of Dadu Majra, along with her husband had come to her place last night and they were having drinks with her husband.

She went to ask them about the time when they will be ready for dinner when her husband shouted at her and a heated scuffle ensued.

Kulbir returned to her room where Surinder followed her and threatened her with a pistol. Kulbir called the police control room and the police seized the revolver, which was licensed for use in Punjab till 2014. In addition, 16 live cartridges were also recovered from his possession.

The accused did not have any licence authorising the revolver in Chandigarh, following which the police booked him in a case of criminal intimidation (Section 506 of the IPC) and Sections 25, 54, 39 of the Arms Act. A case has been registered at the Sector 39 police station. — TNS

Panchkula, January 2
The police has claimed to have nabbed a junk dealer, who used to purchase stolen goods. Over 4 kg of stolen copper wire was recovered from the accused, identified as Bhushan Kumar, a resident of Budhalada, Punjab.

The copper wire was stolen by some unknown thieves from the washing plant of Sourav Goyal at Burj Kotian crusher zone.

The accused was produced in the court, which sent him to one-day police remand.

Chandigarh, January 2
Known for producing best hockey players for the nation, the Chandigarh based Hockey Academy at Sector 42 again hit the headlines after its former players made it to the different teams of the upcoming World Series Hockey (WSH) tournament.

A total of nine players including Preetinder, Rupinder Pal, Dharamveer, Sandeep Singh, Gurjant, Gagandeep, Gurjinder, Harmanpreet Singh and Davinder Singh will prove their mettle in the tournament that is expected to start from February 29.

“The tournament will boost our confidence as this is among one of the best tournaments for the players of junior level to showcase the talent. We will get a chance to play with national and other international players. I hope to take full advantage of the tournament to impress selectors,” said Preetinder.

All the players had taken training from coach, Jasbir Singh Bajwa, who died last year of heart attack. The selected players were part of academy during the 2002 and 2005 batch, who represented city in many national level tournaments.

“I am very happy with my selection in the WSH. The platform is brilliant and a real boost for the youngsters. It will help players to become financially sound and to gain priceless experience after playing with hockey stars. I am very happy and looking forward to give my best in the tourney,” said Sandeep Singh.

Earlier, Rupinder Pal and Dharamveer of the same institution made it to the country’s junior team while Gurjinder Singh is presently attending senior India camp in Banglore.

“The tournament will help the grass root level players to make their name in the game. It will help us to share grounds with the star players and play under their guidance. All the players are waiting to give their best in the competition” said Gagandeep.

The players also feel that the game under the new format is best and meant for youngsters.

“The game will become fast like new version of cricket and it is a golden opportunity. I do not want to miss it. I am practicing hard to achieve success,” said Gurjant, a hockey player.

On the other hand, Harmanpreet Singh and Davinder Singh are yet to be a part of any club participating in the WSH but they have signed their contract. 

Chandigarh, January 2
Tennis player Himanshu Pangal routed out Pranav Chopra in the final match of boys’ (U-10) category during the ongoing YMCA Total Tennis Tournament, being held at Tennis Courts, Sector 11, here today.

Himanshu Pangal returns a shot during a tennis match at YMCA, Chandigarh, on Monday. Tribune Photo: Pradeep Tewari

Himanshu defeated Pranav in straight sets 4-1 and 4-0. In the final match of the boys’ (U-12) category, top seed Shivam Vij faced a tough competition from his opponent second seed Karan Bhalla in three sets.

The match that lasted for over an hour and a half was won by Shivam Vij. He won the first set 6-4 after gaining a vital lead but Karan returned in the second set to win the set 7-5.

But in the decider set Shivam outclassed his opponent with solid ground strokes to win the third game 6-3.

In the finals of the girls’ (U-16) category, Naemat Aulakh of Sacred Heart School named the title after defeating top the seed Komaljeet Kaur in straight sets 6-3 and 6-3.

Sachit Malhotra of Delhi Public School won the final of the boys’ (U-14) category after defeating his practice partner Rohi Dhiman in a tough encounter.

Both the players displayed a fine performance but Aachit kept his temperament and registered a 6-3 and 7-5 win.

Panchkula, January 2
The residents of Panchkula will witness Marathon legend, 100-year-old Fauja Singh, while flagging off the 2nd Panchkula Running and Living Marathon including a cross country half marathon (21.097 km), cross country (10 km) and cross country (5 km) on January 8, here.

Fauja Singh at Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh. A file PHoto

The marathon will include three events and will start from North Park Hotel, here.

The interested participants can register themselves online at (www.runningandliving.com/PanchkulaMarathonandHalf <http://www.runningandliving.com/PanchkulaMarathonandHalf/>) before January 3 and on January 7 at the North Park between 8am and 10 am.

Expected 1000 persons are participating including several corporate, bureaucrats, school children and others who will be sweating together in the event, out of which 40 per cent are from across the tri-city.

The participants will include athletes from Maharashtra, Assam, Delhi and NCR, Rajasthan, UP, Haryana and Punjab as well as many expatriates.

Fauja Singh, apart from running the initial patch will also sign his biography “Turbaned Tornado” at the venue with its author Khushwant Singh.

“The participants, who will complete the run, will be awarded a certificate along with medal along with a running gear. The athletes will be provided with drinks and other diet supplement also,” said Verghese, organiser.

Chandigarh, January 2
The Chandigarh Gymnastics Association will host the 25th Sub-Junior National Artistic Gymnastics Championship from January 5 to 9 at Shivalik Public School, Phase VI, Mohali.

About 350 participants from 18 affiliated units of the gymnastics federation of India have confirmed their participation in the competition whereas the sub-junior gymnast from Uttar Pradesh, who won position in the Tulit Peter International Championship held at Hungry, will also participate in this championship.

According to the orgainsers the players will be provided with the international standard equipments.

Chandigarh, January 2
The UT sports department will award around Rs 60 lakh under the scholarship scheme. The scheme was announced on July 24, last year.

A total of 24,098 players securing first three positions in various disciplines including athletics, archery, badminton, basketball, billiards, snookers, boxing, cricket, football, gymnastics, hockey, handball, judo, kabaddi, kho-kho, lawn tennis, rifle shooting, rowing, skating, swimming, softball, squash, table tennis, tae-kwon-do, volleyball and weightlifting events during the UT or state championship for seniors, inter-college, inter-school (U-19) and juniors inter-school tournaments (U-14, U-17), will be awarded under the scheme.

“We had received a good response from the players. The short listed players will be given the said amount the next month or so.

The file has been sanctioned from the sports department and now final approval of finance secretary is awaited. It is for the first time that the players securing top three positions are being awarded as earlier only first position holders were awarded with the prize money,” said KS Bharti, district sports officer.

He added, “The players can collect the amount from their respective institutions while the private candidates can collect the awarded money from Sports Complex, Sector 42,” said Bharti.

During the scholarship scheme of the last year, around Rs 6 lakh were awarded to the players of various disciplines to the top winners.