New Delhi, February 9
Abida Begum was alone at her home in a congested colony of Batla House when a man rang her door bell to ask for donation, this morning. Five minutes after he left, four armed men barged into her residence, bound her hands and legs and fled with jewellery and cash.

The incident occurred around 11.30 am.

According to sources, the robbers had surveyed the area for a house with lone occupant.

Abida lives with her husband Mohammed Hussain at an apartment on the second floor of M-23, Batla House. Hussain operates a wholesale 'newar' shop in Sadar Bazaar and was away at the time of the incident.

The police said an unknown man arrived at 55-year-old Abida's residence to ask for donation. Donations here are usually meant for funding the construction of mosques, madrassas and orphanages, according to the police.

"Abida made a mistake by saying the man that there was no male member in the house," said a police official.

Five minutes after the person left, four unmasked men rang the doorbell.

"Abida opened the door, assuming that it was the milkman, who usually arrives at that time. Four men barged into the house and tied her hands and legs, taped her mouth and locked her in a room. Two of the men had guns and one had a knife. They stayed in the house for about an hour and left with some cash and jewellery worth lakhs of rupees. They left Abida tied in the room. No neighbour heard any noises during the robbery," said the official.

A local resident, Daoud, said Abida managed to untie her hands and legs and remove the tape from her mouth.

"She opened a window in the room, which overlooked an adjacent building, and shouted for help. A neighbour heard her call," added Daoud.

A girl appeared on the balcony of the apartment on the first floor of the adjacent building.

"I told my cousin brother about the woman shouting for help. He ran towards her house and freed her. It was about 1.30 pm. He then informed the police about the incident," said the girl, who didn't want to be named.

Abida was taken by the police for drawing the sketches of the robbers. They are probably locals because they were well aware of the area, according to the police.

However, at the same time, an official hinted that the robbery case was dubious.

"We are investigating how Abida managed to untie her hands and legs by herself. Also, when we asked for the tape that was put on her mouth, she could not find it. Another question that arises is why she didn't look through the peephole before opening the door for the robbers," added the official. 

New Delhi, February 9
A seven-year-old boy was killed when a Wagon R car allegedly drove into him while he was crossing the road with his sister at Geeta Colony, East Delhi last night.

The deceased was identified as Hemant Kumar. He studied in a private school at Vikas Kunj. He lived with his family in Shiv Vihar, Karawal Nagar. He was the only son of his parents. His father, Raju Kashyap owns an autorickshaw, according to sources.

Hemant was returning from a marriage ceremony at a banquet hall in Shankar Nagar. He had attended the wedding with his family.

The police said that Hemant was walking from the hall with his sister, when the car rammed into him about 11.20 pm yesterday. The car was coming from Geeta Colony.

Hemant's sister, Rajrani said, "I was crossing the road with my brother, when a speeding car rammed into him. The vehicle then ran over him."

Hemant fell unconscious and when he was taken to a nearby hospital, he was declared brought dead.

A case of rash and negligent driving and culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered against the driver. The police has arrested one, Ajay Sharma (42).

Hemant's family claims that there were more than one person in the car and they were drunk. The police said as Ajay was arrested 12 hours after the accident, it cannot not establish whether he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Locals and relatives of the deceased infuriated by the accident wrecked the car after its driver fled. 

New Delhi, February 9
The Delhi police has launched a manhunt to nab the mastermind of a human-trafficking and prostitution racket involving a 14-year-old girl who had brought a battered baby to the AIIMS Trauma Centre. The police received information about the mastermind, following the arrest of two persons, Rahul (26) and Rana Kumar Gupta (28).

The two men have been sent to judicial custody after being presented at the Saket district court today. They were arrested on Monday by the Special Cell of the Delhi police.

Rahul is a resident of Mohammadpur, while Rana stays at Badarpur.

Additional Commissioner of Police (South-East District), Ajay Chaudhry said, "Rana and Rahul are involved in a prostitution racket that spreads across several states. Using the information they gave us, we have identified some more people. We are searching for them."

Rajkumar, Rahul, Rana and his second wife, Aarti had forced the 14-year-old girl into prostitution in Delhi.

The police had arrested Aarti from Munirka, after the interrogation of Pooja and her husband Sandeep, who had pushed the girl into the flesh trade. They had also tried forcing the girl into marrying an old man in Uttar Pradesh.

Pooja disclosed to the police that she gave Aarti the girl in November last year. Pooja and Aarti met each other when they were neighbours in Govindpuri.

"We are questioning the accused in the case. The kingpin of the racket is yet to be apprehended," said the officer.

The police is also searching for Rajkumar, who had left the baby with the girl, before leaving for Mumbai in January 13. He has been absconding since then. 

New Delhi, February 9
President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) Paramjit Singh Sarna today advised all parties active in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) politics to file a joint petition before the double bench of the Delhi High Court to appeal that the election to the committee be held on March 11.

He gave the advice as a response to the allegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), the main opposition party in the DSGMC, and parliamentary secretary of Delhi Chief Minister Tarvinder Singh Marwah that getting a stay order from court on the election was a conspiracy of the ruling party led by him.

Sarna also mentioned a number of dates in the past when the SAD Badal had got the election to the gurdwara committee stayed. The involvement of the Badal group was suspected in getting the stay order this time also, he said.

"Before the announcement of the election, I had gone to the Nankana Sahib and Darbar Sahib for seeking the blessings of the Guru for winning the election. Why would I approach the court for a stay order when the date of the election has been announced by the government? I will be happy if the election is held immediately," Sarna said.

Expressing his gratitude to the Delhi government for the construction of a memorial of Guru Teg Bahadur at Singhu Border, Sarna threatened the BJP that has alliance with the SAD Badal, against the construction of a community hall in the name of the Guru at Hari Nagar.

"This is being done by the MCD ruled by the BJP. But the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) will not allow the opening of the community centre where "unreligious" practices happen. It will not be tolerated," he added.

When asked that president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi-UK) Jasjit Singh had been openly saying that it was he who had got the stay order from the court because his party had not been issued symbol to contest the DSGMC election, Sarna said, "I recommend that Jasjit's party be given symbol. Let him come to the field." 

Gurgaon, February 9
Three police officials who allegedly let a youth get thrashed to death and remained mute spectators to the crime have been placed under suspension following charges of gross negligence of duty.

The suspended cops include Vedpal, Shripal and Harish.

A departmental inquiry has also been instituted in this regard to ascertain the allegations and the extent of negligence on part of the policemen.

Meanwhile, the police as also arrested five persons - Sarju, Shakir, Mubarak, Jumma and Ismail - in connection with the case. They were remanded in police custody for two days by a local court today.

Vijender, 25, who worked as a driver in Gurgaon, was beaten to death by a group of marriage-party members on the Gurgaon-Alwar road near Sohna bus stand on Tuesday night over a trivial matter.

He was returning to his home along with his younger brother and a friend. On the way, they stopped at Sohna and Vijender went to a roadside shop to get a bottle of water.

He got involved in an altercation with some members of a marriage party who also happened to be there.

The marriage-party members thrashed him brutally.

It was alleged that the police personnel manning the PCR van stationed at the scene of crime first ignored the victim's brother's request to intervene and save his life and later moved the van to some other location.

It was also alleged that the policemen on duty were under the influence of liquor.

The badly injured youth was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he could not be saved.

Agitated family members and villagers also blocked the Gurgaon-Alwar road and the local shopkeepers downed their shutters in protest against police inaction and gross negligence.

New Delhi, February 9
It was a cold day for Delhiites today, with chilly winds keeping the minimum temperature five notches below average at 4 degrees Celsius -- the coldest February 9 in the past five years.

The city will see similar weather on Friday, the Met office said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the coldest February 9 was in 2008, when the minimum temperature was recorded at 6 degrees Celsius.

Thursday's maximum temperature also was three notches below what is average for this time of the season at 19 degrees Celsius. The afternoon sun gave much needed relief to people.

Humidity levels wavered between a high of 78 and a low of 30 per cent.

Friday morning will see light mist, though rest of the day will be clear, the Met office said.

"The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 20 and 3 degrees Celsius," an official of the Indian Meteorological Department said.

Wednesday's minimum temperature was recorded at 8.5 degrees while the maximum was three notches below average at 19.3 degrees Celsius. - IANS

New Delhi, February 9
Nursery admission blues continue to haunt parents in Delhi with many schools making it clear that fees will not be refunded in case of withdrawal.

Parents have complained that many schools are refusing to refund the deposited fees in the case of withdrawal.

Sanjay Sharma, a central Delhi resident, says a school in Pusa Road is asking Rs 45,000 for his son's admission which is non-refundable in the case of withdrawal of admission.

"They are asking for Rs 45,000 which is not refundable. I am in a catch-22 situation. If I pay now, it would be tough for me to afford admission if my son gets selected in any other school in the second list which is yet to come," Sharma said.

Same is the story of Ramya Shankar. "I am in a dilemma. Unable to decide whether to block the seat or to wait for the second list," says Shankar whose daughter has also been selected in the same school.

Many parents also complain that several schools have been demanding that the admission fees be deposited in cash so that they can get away without refunding.

Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, has even asked parents to bring Rs 40,000 for admission of which only Rs 500 will be refundable in case of withdrawal.

"Please carry Rs 40,000 towards lump sum advance, which will be adjusted towards admission fee, caution money (Rs 500), tuition fee for three months and bus fee etc. Please note that in case of withdrawal or not joining after admission, only caution money will be refunded," a notice on its website says.

"This shows that some schools give a damn to the rules laid down by the government," says Sumit Vohra, founder of online parents' forum 'admissionsnursery.Com'.

"There are many new schools that are not approved by the DoE, while some old schools are not getting their junior branches recommended. The modus operandi is not to refund fees as required," Vohra points out.

There are also allegations from parents that some schools have begun admission under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category without any confirmation by the Directorate of Education about the new directive on distance criteria for nursery admissions.

The Delhi High Court had earlier this month asked schools to stress on the neighbourhood criteria for nursery admissions to EWS category and organise another round of draw of lots. -- PTI 

New Delhi, February 9
Reacting to the attack on the engineer, the Municipal Commissioner, KS Mehra today said that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will bear all the medical expenses of its executive engineer Ansar Alam who is recuperating in hospital. He was attacked by some miscreants on Tuesday.

Mehra made this announcement in the meeting of the Standing Committee. He said that he discussed the issue with the police commissioner, BK Gupta.

"It is a serious issue. It has been decided that the MCD will take care of all the medical expenses of Alam. The MCD is in touch with the Delhi police and will cooperate in the investigation," Mehra added.

He said that the civic agency will ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future. "We will make provision for the safety and security of MCD employees," said Mehra.

Meanwhile, the engineers association has refused to end its strike. It will be protesting at the Ambedkar Stadium office of the civic body. Criticizing the Delhi police for registering a case under section 308 of Indian Penal Code, general secretary of the MCD Engineers' Forum, Rajesh Mishra alleged that the police is in connivance with the builders' mafia and trying to shield the culprits.

"The case should have been registered under section 304, attempt to murder. Our demand is that the case should be registered under relevant sections and it should be transferred to the Crime Branch or the Central Bureau of Investigation for further investigation. The attack on Ansar Alam was clearly a planned criminal conspiracy," said Mishra.

New Delhi, February 9
Kendriya Guru Singh Sabha (KGSS) president and parliamentary secretary of the Delhi Chief Minister Tarvinder Singh Marwah today announced that the Sabha would take out a procession - Sikhon Jago -- from Rakabganj Gurdwara to Tilak Nagar to create awareness among the Sikhs about the misuse of funds.

He has also announced that the KGSS would contest the coming Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections from all the seats.

The ruling party, Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) should not take the call of the opposition lightly.

It will be thrown out from the power in the coming elections as the community is not happy with the fact that the under-construction Bala Sahib hospital has been given to a private company. The plan was to open a charity hospital.

Giving contract to a private company will benefit the gurdwara committee not the Sikh community, Tarvinder said.

He added that the money is being misused in the construction of a parking lot at Rakabganj Gurdwara. It should be stopped forthwith.

Tarvinder said that it was the conspiracy of the ruling party president Paramjit Singh Sarna in getting the stay order on the DSGMC elections.

He said the officials concerned in the Directorate of Gurdwara Election who had not done the delimitation of wards and failed to prepare the electoral roll should be punished.

New Delhi, February 9
National carrier Air India has been asked to cough up over Rs 1 lakh by a consumer forum as compensation to make its "rude" staff "learn a lesson" for their "callous" service towards a flier.

"OP (Air India) is directed to pay Rs 94,776 which is rounded to Rs 95,000 to complainant No 1 within 30 days and balance Rs 10,000 within 60 days after the same is received from the salaries of the staff concerned," the New Delhi Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum ruled.

Of the total compensation, the tribunal imposed Rs 25,000 as punitive damage on the airline staff posted at the Delhi airport.

"The missing of baggage was due to total negligence of its ground staff responsible for booking at the Delhi airport, for which punitive damages are awarded to make Air India staff learn a lesson," a bench of C Chaturvedi, SR Chaudhary and Asha Kumar said, blaming the insensitivity of the staff on the lack of supervision by superior officers.

It also imposed Rs 10,000 as punitive damage for callous attitude of staff at the Kolkata airport.

The airline has also been directed to place an action taken report (ATR) in three months before the court after probing the role of AI staff at Delhi and Kolkata airports and recover the sum of Rs 5,000 from the salaries of the officials concerned.

The order came on a complaint by PK Agarwal, a retired IAS officer of the rank of Additional Chief Secretary in the West Bengal government.

Agarwal in his complaint said he and his wife was to travel to Kolkata on March 11 last year on an Air India flight. He encountered a delay of 40 minutes in getting the boarding pass due to inexperienced staff at the desk. Also, the pass was wrongly marked due to which they were not allowed to board the flight.

After the issue was sorted, the plane was delayed by 45 minutes due to some technical snag.

When they reached Kolkata, their luggage was untraceable and there was no airline staff at the arrival desk to help them.

Following a complaint, a staff arrived, but allegedly misbehaved with them. Their attempts to trace their luggage led to harassment and had to purchase essentials before coming back to Delhi on March 13.

The luggage was delivered to Agarwal on March 15 after a complaint was made to the MD and chairman, Air India.

Agarwal said he received a reply to his legal notice from the national carrier on June 7 where all his allegations were denied and he was accused of attempting to extract undue monetary benefits.

"The whole case of the complainant is about callousness and insensitivities to duties of OP's (Air India) staff at Delhi and Kolkata airports. The OP is a government corporation and, in fact, showcases a glimpse of governance in India," the bench said.

The airlines ground staff should never be found wanting when it comes to providing a helping hand to its passengers, whether it is a public holiday or not, the bench said.

Air India only filed a written reply to the complainant and its attitude was described as "shameful" by the forum. --PTI 

New Delhi, February 9
Mughal Gardens, richly endowed with rare varieties of flowers like roses, lillies, tulips and double pansies on the historic lawns inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan, were reviewed by the President Pratibha Patil today.

The gardens will be thrown open to public from tomorrow as part of the monthlong annual festival called 'Rashtrapati Bhavan Udyanotsav'.

This year, the main attractions at the festival are floral carpets and a new bonsai garden with about 200 plants, besides a special cactus corner, located inside the grand President's Estate.

Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for Lady Harding, the gardens showcase a combination of the formal Mughal style with the British garden designs. They cover an area of 15 acres and consist of three parts. The first part is the rectangular garden, divided into four quarters, each with terraced gardens on either side.

"As we have people from different caste, creed and religion in our country, these gardens also comprise various kinds of flowers, which give us the message to live in harmony with each other," said President Pratibha Patil while visiting the gardens.

The Central Lawn is the venue of numerous receptions and 'At Homes' hosted by the President and provides a view of the gardens. It is covered by Doob grass which was brought from the Belvedere Estate in Kolkata and still retains its sheen.

The Rectangular Garden also has several seasonal bulbous and flowering beds, with a variety of roses such as Mrinalini, Taj Mahal, Modern Art, Oklahoma, John F Kennedy, Lincoln and Folklore

"The floral carpet design is the manifestation of imagination and skills of the hundreds of gardeners who work here. We decided to try this out this year as it is both economical as well as beautiful to look at," said Nigam Semwal, OSD Horticulture in the President's Estate.

The Gardens will remain closed every Monday on account of maintenance. They will also be closed on February 15 for a programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Besides, they will be closed for the Holi festical on March 8.

The arrangements for the entry and exit of the general public have been made from gate number 35 of the President's Estate.

The gate is located near North Avenue at the extreme end of Church Road, about 300 metres west of the Cathedral Church of the Redemption.