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THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

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88-yr man dies of shock as robbers loot home
New Delhi, January 24
Kin of the victim after the incident in New Delhi An 88-year-old man allegedly died after a heart attack due to shock as four unidentified men held him hostage inside his room and robbed him of his valuables at East Punjabi Bagh.

Kin of the victim after the incident in New Delhi. Tribune photo

Credibility of Maha ATS questioned in arrest of Delhi police informer Naquee
New Delhi, January 24
The Jamia Teachers' Solidarity Association (JTASA) and the NGO, Anhad, today questioned the credibility of the Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad's (ATS) claims of solving the July 13 Zaveri Bazar terror blasts with the arrest of a Delhi police informer Naquee Ahmed.


EARLIER STORIES



PETA activists protest against jallikattu, a game of bull fighting held in Kerala, in New Delhi on Tuesday.
PETA activists protest against jallikattu, a game of bull fighting held in Kerala, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal

12-year boy falls to death from school building
New Delhi, January 24
A 12-year-old boy fell to his death from his school building at Mayur Vihar, Phase I, this afternoon. The deceased, Varun Jain, was a resident of Pandav Nagar. His father Sanjay Jain is an electrician.

Depressed man drowns 5-month daughter
New Delhi, January 24
A 24-year-old man allegedly killed his five-month-old daughter by drowning her in a canal at Swaroop Nagar, north-west Delhi, last night. Sources said that he did this because he was suffering from depression as he could not afford her expenses.

Poll registers for recording candidates’ expenses blank
Greater Noida, January 24
District Magistrate (DM) and District Election Official Hirdesh Kumar today conducted a surprise inspection in the Jewar Assembly area and reprimanded officials on election duty for laxity in work.

Night shelters at AIIMS
New Delhi, January 24
The Border Security Force Wives Welfare Association set up temporary night shelters at the Trauma Centre in AIIMS yesterday. The shelters are for the patients' relatives in these cold nights.—TNS

DU hostel ready to house 800 girls
New Delhi, January 24
After missing many deadlines, Delhi University has finally announced admission to its much-awaited new girls' hostel at Dhaka Complex. The Rajiv Gandhi Hostel with a capacity of 800 girl students has now been furnished completely and is inviting applications for admissions.
Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Diskhit and women and child welfare minister Kiran Walia talk to girls at a function held to celebrate National Girls Child Day in New Delhi on Tuesdasy.
Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Diskhit and women and child welfare minister Kiran Walia talk to girls at a function held to celebrate National Girls Child Day in New Delhi on Tuesday. Tribune photo

Tableau to focus on handicrafts
New Delhi, January 24
Several national awardee craftsmen have been involved in the building of the tableau on Indian handicrafts being prepared by the ministry of textiles, which will be floated for the first time at Republic Day Parade.

Delhi gurdwara poll: 13 parties refused symbols
New Delhi, January 24
The Directorate of Gurdwara Elections, Delhi government, has refused to allot symbols to 13 parties to contest the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee elections likely to be held in March.

Respite from cold in Delhi
New Delhi, January 24
It was much-awaited respite from the shivering weather as the warm and bright sun broke through cold winds and raised the mercury above 20 degree Celsius. According to the IMD department, the maximum temperature was recorded at 21.6 degree Celsius and the minimum settled at 7.5 degree Celsius for this time of the season.

Brave children meet CM
New Delhi, January 24
The National Bravery Award winning children today met Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and shared their experiences of deeds of valour and selfless sacrifice.

Govt will not tolerate female foeticide: CM
New Delhi, January 24
During a programme marking the National Girl Child Day celebration at Talkatora Garden, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today reiterated her government's commitment towards zero tolerance to the female foeticide while pointing out at the glaring disparity and the skewed gender ratio.

Gang of 4 highway robbers arrested for killing ex-IAF official
New Delhi, January 24
A gang of four highway robbers was apprehended in the capital for allegedly killing a former Indian Air Force official, the police said today. The arrested have been identified as Rakesh Kake, Deepak and Rampal, all residents of Trilokpuri in east Delhi, and Deepak Kairwal (26), a resident of Ghaziabad.

DU remembers Tagore
New Delhi, January 24
Delhi University today celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of epic poet and Nobel laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore with a literature festival.

Banquet hall booked for power theft
New Delhi, January 24
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited has booked a marriage-cum-banquet hall in north Delhi for alleged theft of electricityof 70 kW.

 





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88-yr man dies of shock as robbers loot home
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24
An 88-year-old man allegedly died after a heart attack due to shock as four unidentified men held him hostage inside his room and robbed him of his valuables at East Punjabi Bagh.

The deceased, Rajendra Singh was running a marble business with his son, who lived with him.

This morning, four unidentified men allegedly barged into his room about 4.30 am and tied his hands and legs. They stole a laptop, a gold ring and Rs 100 before fleeing.

Around 5.30 am, Rajendra raised the alarm and woke up his son, Inder Singh, who slept in an adjoining room.

Sources said that Rajendra was shocked by the incident while his son and daughter-in-law tried to calm him down. They then immediately informed the police.

Rajendra fell unconscious in the meantime. The police rushed him to the Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. He died after a heart attack, according to the police.

"There were no external injury marks on his body. The doctors said that he died of a heart attack. We have presently registered a case of murder. The section on murder will be removed if the postmortem report establishes that Rajendra had a natural death," said a police officer.

The police has examined the crime scene and collected fingerprints. It reportedly suspects the role of a local gang. The police is depending on the statement of the victim's son.

According to the preliminary investigations, the robbers had allegedly entered from the rear of the house through a cardboard partition near an air conditioner. 

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Credibility of Maha ATS questioned in arrest of Delhi police informer Naquee
Shaurya Karanbir Gurung
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24
The Jamia Teachers' Solidarity Association (JTASA) and the NGO, Anhad, today questioned the credibility of the Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad's (ATS) claims of solving the July 13 Zaveri Bazar terror blasts with the arrest of a Delhi police informer Naquee Ahmed.

Naquee was assisting the Delhi police in identifying two Pakistani terrorists, Waqaz and Tabrez. They were the aides of the main operative of the Indian Mujahideen (IM), Shahrukh, alias Yasin Bhatkal, all of whom are still at large.

Manisha Sethi, a member of the JTASA, said, "The ATS cracked the case within a day of Naquee being brought to Mumbai by the special cell of the Delhi police. Did the ATS ever visit Delhi to question or detain him? It simply pounced upon Naquee within moments of the special cell 'abandoning' him in Mumbai after completing their investigation."

ATS chief Rakesh Maria had claimed yesterday that Naquee and Nadeem were arrested on January 12, whereas Naquee's family alleges that they were taken away by the ATS on January 9 and formally arrested on January 10.

"If the ATS had him under surveillance, surely they knew how closely he was working with the police. His numerous trips to the special cell and their regular phone calls to him can prove this. The ATS chief said that Naquee had been visiting the Madanpura area of Mumbai since September-October 2010.

Would he explain why the last two of those trips were made in the company of the special cell? And may it be said that Naquee was not brought to Mumbai under detention or arrest," said Sethi.

She further questioned the evidence used by the ATS to frame charges against Naquee and Nadeem. Their clothes were allegedly recovered from the house where the main accused lived.

"Is the chief familiar with their wardrobe and sartorial preferences - in the absence of any forensic tests - to claim that the clothes belonging to these two have been recovered," said Sethi.

Maria at the conference had said that the two accused had stolen two motor-cycles to be used in the future.

"Implicating people in future conspiracies, where evidence need not be produced because the act hasn't taken place at all is the oldest trick in the police armour. If indeed those bikes were stolen, then book Naquee and Nadeem for theft," added Sethi.

She also questioned why the media was not given access to Naquee's elder brothers Rafi and Razi who were detained by the ATS.

Calling this a case of one upmanship, Shabnam Hashmi of Anhad said, "The Delhi police is saying that Naquee was helping them, but suddenly the ATS catches him and labels him as a suspect. They catch innocent people to gain promotion. The probe is full of loopholes," she said.

Earlier Naquee's brother Taquee told The Tribune, "I want justice for him. Naquee is innocent and there are big accusations against him. The special cell has told me that they will testify in court that Naquee was helping them in nabbing terrorists. But now he is arrested, they should take responsibility. I tried meeting the Delhi police commissioner but could not," said Taquee.

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12-year boy falls to death from school building
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24
A 12-year-old boy fell to his death from his school building at Mayur Vihar, Phase I, this afternoon. The deceased, Varun Jain, was a resident of Pandav Nagar. His father Sanjay Jain is an electrician.

Varun studied at Rishabh Public School in Mayur Vihar, Phase I.

Around 1.30 pm, after his school got over, Varun recalled that he had left his book in the classroom and went back upstairs.

Due to the rush of students, as he was running up the stairs, he lost his balance and fell off the railing.

He was taken to the Jeevan Anmol Hospital, but was referred to the Kailash Hospital in Noida. Varun succumbed to his injuries during treatment, according to the police.

He had sustained severe head and chest injuries.

Varun's body has been sent for a post-mortem to L.B.S Hospital.

The police has registered a case of death due to negligence at the Pandav Nagar police station.

A police official said that they will measure the height of the railing.

"We are probing if the school authorities have flouted norms during the construction of the building," said the official.

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Depressed man drowns 5-month daughter
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24
A 24-year-old man allegedly killed his five-month-old daughter by drowning her in a canal at Swaroop Nagar, north-west Delhi, last night. Sources said that he did this because he was suffering from depression as he could not afford her expenses.

Ajay Vikram allegedly tried disposing his daughter Radhika's body after drowning her.

The police has arrested him and also said that he was not mentally stable. A senior police official said that according to Vikram's family he had been undergoing treatment for his mental ailment for the past few years.

"Vikram has been sent for a medical examination," he said.

The official said that after returning to his home, Vikram narrated the incident to his brother.

Vikram is a resident of Sant Nagar, Burari in north Delhi. He is employed at a shop in Chandni Chowk. His father is posted as a sub-inspector with the Delhi police.

On the day of the incident, Vikram took his daughter for a walk. He stopped near a canal in Swaroop Nagar where he held his daughter by her legs and drowned her in it. He then put her body in a plastic bag and threw it in the canal.

A passerby, who became suspicious informed the police which recovered the body from the canal. 

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Poll registers for recording candidates’ expenses blank
DM holds surprise check in Jewar Assembly
Parmindar Singh

Greater Noida, January 24
District Magistrate (DM) and District Election Official Hirdesh Kumar today conducted a surprise inspection in the Jewar Assembly area and reprimanded officials on election duty for laxity in work.

Two registers of election teams were found blank. The Election Commission had recently expressed concern over laxity in election work. The accounts team too had not noted any expenditure being incurred by prospective candidates.

The DM took it seriously and gave warning to the election officials.

He directed the videographers to record the election campaigns of various candidates in their areas daily and submit the video CDs everyday so that expenditure could be calculated and added in the registers.

The DM further directed the returning official and assistant returning officials to impart proper directions to the teams so that they can function as per the guidelines of the election commission. If teams have any query, these should be clarified immediately.

On February 12, election observer is scheduled to visit the district who will see the election preparedness and also check the expenditure registers of each candidate who would have filed nomination and become the official candidate of the party or as independent candidate.

He also conducted surprise visit at around a dozen polling centres in the Jewar Assembly area. First he visited the primary school and inspected booth numbers 239 and 240. Booth-level officials were found absent at these booths.

From there the DM went to the primary school at Gopal Garh and inspected booth numbers 254 and 255. The booths have only one door. He ordered setting up of another door at these booths.

The DM also inspected the voters' list and found that out of 79 new voters around seven were yet to be given the ID cards.

At booth number 253 In Jhuppa primary school though ramp was constructed, passage was having low-lying area. The DM ordered to raise the ground level.

Booth numbers 235, 236, 237, 237A and 238 at Adarsh Kanya Inter College and booth numbers 247 and 248 at primary school located at Kanigarhi village were found properly labeled and having two doors and other infrastructures as per the guidelines of the election commission.

Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Satish Pal informed the DM that these polling booths had been identified as vulnerable and necessary arrangements had been made.

SDM, tehsildar and other officials had accompanied the DM.

Kanigarhi villagers informed the DM that during last elections some outsiders had come and created problems. The DM directed the police to take note and see this does not happen now. He also met voters at villages and appealed them to cast vote and increase the polling percentage.

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DU hostel ready to house 800 girls
Jyoti Rai
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24
After missing many deadlines, Delhi University has finally announced admission to its much-awaited new girls' hostel at Dhaka Complex. The Rajiv Gandhi Hostel with a capacity of 800 girl students has now been furnished completely and is inviting applications for admissions.

However, the admissions are currently in Phase 1, which has invited applications for 500 seats only.

While 350 seats will be available to undergraduate and postgraduate northeastern students, the remaining 150 seats are open to undergraduate and postgraduate Scheduled Tribe students.

"The last date for the sale of application forms is January 31. The applicants have to submit the completed forms by February 7. The forms can be collected from the office of Dean of Student Welfare," said one of the officials at Dean, Student Welfare.

Till now, Delhi University has been running mainly postgraduate hostels. However, the university undertook construction of two hostels in the Dhaka complex after it had received complaints of teasing of girl students.

Official sources said that the Rajiv Gandhi Hostel has been opened to northeastern and Scheduled Tribe girls as they face more problems while looking for accommodation in the city.

The second hostel that is yet to be opened will cater mainly to undergraduate students. The Rajiv Gandhi Hostel will be the first of its kind to be managed by the university.

University Proctor Prof. H.P. Singh said, "The Rajiv Gandhi Hostel, which can house 800 students, has 400 rooms while the undergraduate hostel will provide accommodation to 700 students in 350 rooms. Both these hostels are equipped with gymnasiums, cyber cafés, TV lounges, power back-up, shops and other facilities. While the remaining 300 seats at Rajiv Gandhi Hostel will also be filled up soon, the undergraduate hostel is likely to be opened by the coming academic session."

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Tableau to focus on handicrafts
Himani Chandel
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24
Several national awardee craftsmen have been involved in the building of the tableau on Indian handicrafts being prepared by the ministry of textiles, which will be floated for the first time at Republic Day Parade.

The ministry of defence has selected the tableau along with nine others, out of the 25 ministries that had applied for participating in the parade. Through this tableau, the message that will be put forth is that though the Indian handicraft sector is an unorganized, labour-intensive, decentralized industry, it provides employment to over seven million artisans in rural and semi-urban areas, said RK Srivastava, executive director, National Centre for Design and Product Development.

Handicraft, which was once limited to only gifts, has now extended to a whole lot of utility items forming an important part of lifestyle. In fact, many of these items are so important that their usage makes a fashion statement.

The tableau will showcase the complete process of outsourcing, manufacturing, retailing and export of handicrafts in different approaches. It will consist of 10 artisans giving live demonstration of their craft work as well as 32 other crafts item.

"We are happy to have become a part of this national celebration. We have been working on this tableau for the last two to three months. It is an overwhelming experience for all of us," said Mohammad Matloob, a national awardee craftsman.

"It is due to the focus on this sector and the importance of the role that it plays in the life of the country and of the artisans themselves that the defence ministry approved the tableau," said SS Gupta, development commissioner (Handicrafts). The tableau has been conceived and designed by the National Centre for Design and Product Development.

"Handicrafts have seen tremendous diversification, product innovation, adaptation and development made in nearly all types of raw materials. Handicraft jewellery is now produced in contemporary designs and is exported," added Gupta.

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Delhi gurdwara poll: 13 parties refused symbols
Syed Ali Ahmed
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24
The Directorate of Gurdwara Elections, Delhi government, has refused to allot symbols to 13 parties to contest the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee elections likely to be held in March.

According to an official of the directorate, Bhanwar Singh, these parties did not fulfill the conditions laid down by the government to contest the election.

As per the law, the party should be registered with the society of registrars and have secured at least two per cent of the total votes in the last election. For the new parties, it is mandatory to have the support of at lest two members of the existing committee.

Sixteen parties had applied for the symbols. Of them, 13 have been issued notices about the rejection of their request.

Requests of three parties -- Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) headed by Paramjit Singh Sarna, the present president of the committee; Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Panthak) - have been accepted.

Singh, however, refused to name the parties which have not been given symbols.

Bhanwar Singh said only three parties had been registered. If any person has any doubt against the registration of these parties, he should submit evidence before the authorities concerned.

President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi-UK), meanwhile, alleged that he had applied for the registration of the party a few months ago, but his file had been lying pending with the department concerned. Also, according to him, his party has the support of a few members of the gurdwara committee, but has still not been issued symbol.

"The ruling party, Shiromani Akalai Dal (Delhi), has government support and everything is being done to bring the party back in power in the Gurdwara Management Committee," he said.

Jasjit threatened that he would move court against the decision of the government.

The director of the Directorate of Gurdwara Elections could not be contacted for his comment. 

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Respite from cold in Delhi
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24
It was much-awaited respite from the shivering weather as the warm and bright sun broke through cold winds and raised the mercury above 20 degree Celsius. According to the IMD department, the maximum temperature was recorded at 21.6 degree Celsius and the minimum settled at 7.5 degree Celsius for this time of the season.

However, the IMD officials have predicted partly cloudy sky for tomorrow. "There will be mist and fog in the morning with mainly clear sky. Though it will be partly cloudy towards the evening," said the officials.

The maximum temperature for tomorrow will remain at 23 degree Celsius and the minimum will hover around 8 degree Celsius. As the weather remained clear today, there was no cancellation of trains scheduled from Delhi.

As per the information of the Airport Authority officials, the flights departed from Delhi also took off on time.

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Brave children meet CM
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24
The National Bravery Award winning children today met Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and shared their experiences of deeds of valour and selfless sacrifice.

While congratulating the children, the Chief Minister said that brave children are nation's pride, who would be the role model for other children.

On the occasion, parliamentary secretary of Chief Minister, Anil Bhardwaj and Board of Trustees of Indian Council for Child Welfare were also present.

Dikshit expressed confidence that the children would play an important role not only in their states but also in the whole country.

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Govt will not tolerate female foeticide: CM
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24
During a programme marking the National Girl Child Day celebration at Talkatora Garden, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today reiterated her government's commitment towards zero tolerance to the female foeticide while pointing out at the glaring disparity and the skewed gender ratio.

"The aim of our government is to work in the direction of zero tolerance to the female foeticide. The government has been providing all opportunities to the girl child; hence, it makes no ground to discriminate between son and daughter," she said.

Girl child should not be treated as burden on the family as there are several examples establishing the fact that they are capable of achieving any target and occupying highest office, she added.

It’s shameful: BJP

The BJP today said female foeticide in Delhi was shameful for the government as the state was being run by a women chief minister.

Terming the decline in the sex ratio of 866 girls for 1,000 boys shameful for the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, president of the Delhi unit of the BJP Vijender Gupta said that the city government was completely indifferent towards preventing female foeticide. It was happening in Delhi, but the government had neither arrested any guilty doctor nor initiated any campaign to prevent female foeticide, he said.

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Gang of 4 highway robbers arrested for killing ex-IAF official

New Delhi, January 24
A gang of four highway robbers was apprehended in the capital for allegedly killing a former Indian Air Force official, the police said today. The arrested have been identified as Rakesh Kake, Deepak and Rampal, all residents of Trilokpuri in east Delhi, and Deepak Kairwal (26), a resident of Ghaziabad.

The victim, Surender Singh, 48, left the air force a few years ago and was working with a company Foilex Private Ltd as its general manager in Himachal Pradesh.

He was offered a lift by the accused on the intervening night of January 14 and 15 from Mukundpur.

On the way, the accused stabbed him on his neck thrice when he resisted their robbery attempt and dumped his body near Budhpur drain in the Swaroop Nagar area of west Delhi.

"They fled after robbing his two mobile phones, one laptop and Rs 23,000," said deputy commissioner of police Meenu Choudhary.

Singh, who resided at Sector 10, Gurgaon, worked as a general manager in Phoenix Company at Kala Amb in Himachal Pradesh. He would visit his residence every weekend.

On January 14, Singh parked his official car in Ambala and had taken the bus for Delhi and left it near Mukundpur red light.

Deepak Khairwal, the master mind of the gang of highway robbers, was arrested along with Kake and Deepak from Ludhiana, Punjab, on Monday by the Delhi police. Rampal was arrested by the crime branch police later.

The accused said that after hiring cars from Delhi and the NCR area to use as taxis, they used to target vulnerable persons coming from other states at Karnal bypass, Dhaula Kuan, ISBT Anand Vihar and the Mehrauli-Badarpur road. - IANS

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DU remembers Tagore
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24
Delhi University today celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of epic poet and Nobel laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore with a literature festival.

Organised along with the New Delhi Bengali Association, the function traced the highs and lows of Tagore's life. Several of his citations, poetries, short stories and the ever-famous Geetanjali songs were presented at the heavily-attended function.

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Banquet hall booked for power theft

New Delhi, January 24
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited has booked a marriage-cum-banquet hall in north Delhi for alleged theft of electricityof 70 kW.

The theft came to light when an enforcement team of the discom carried out a raid at the banquet hall in the Gulabi Bagh during a marriage function , said a company release.

"Theft of electricity is an illegal activity which attracts legal action and stringent penalty and can even lead to jail term," said a spokesperson for the company. - PTI

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