Fatehgarh Sahib, June 1
Congress suffered a big jolt in the district as Gurjant Singh Bhamarsi, president Block Congress Committee, Sirhind, along with a group of more than 150 youths joined the SAD (B) under the leadership of prof Prem Singh Chandumajra gen. secy. SAD (B). Sukhbir Badal, president SAD (B) inducted them into the SAD (B) by presenting them siropas.

He assured them that they would be given full respect and responsibility in the party. Appreciating the efforts of prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, gen. secy. for strengthening the party, he said that Chandumajra has been assigned the job to initiate development projects in Fatehgarh Sahib and being a senior leader of the party, he will be effective in implementing the policies and programs of the Government in Fatehgarh Sahib.

Welcoming the Congress leader and workers in party fold, prof Chandumajra said that more Congress and other parties leaders are interested in joining the party but only honest, loyal and dedicated will be inducted and no opportunist will be inducted in party.

Meanwhile, Harinder Singh Bhambhri, president District Congress Committee said that Gujant Singh, president Block Congress Committee, Sirhind, was expelled from party for working against the party candidate from Fatehgarh Sahib assembly.

Chandigarh, June 1
Responding to a petition filed in public interest against the appointment of Sumedh Singh Saini as the Director General of Police, Punjab, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today made it clear that the Punjab Government was fully aware of the developments against the IPS officer while ordering his elevation.

In a reply submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the premier investigation agency claimed that the status of the case against Saini was informed to the Punjab Government from time to time by the CBI and "it is up to them to decide suitability or otherwise of an officer who is facing trial". The investigating agency added the CBI has nothing to do in the impugned appointment of accused Sumedh Singh Saini.

The High Court in April had put the CBI and the State of Punjab on notice on the petition challenging his appointment on the ground that he was facing a criminal trial in an abduction case. Notice has also been issued to Saini. The petition has been filed in public interest by Voices for Freedom through its director-cum-advocate Simranjit Singh.

Going into the background of the matter, the petitioner contended: "On the basis of allegations that Saini is involved in the abduction and physical liquidation of three persons sometime in 1994, this court referred the investigation against him to the CBI.

"After detailed investigation, it filed a report confirming the abduction and physical liquidation of three persons and accordingly charge sheet was filed and sanction was accorded by the competent authorities". The petitioner contended one of the "questions of law of substantial public importance" was "whether a person, who is facing a trial before the CBI Court for abduction etc can be treated as having very good record for the purpose of being appointed to the post of DGP?"

Chandigarh, June 1
Just about two days after a client created a flutter in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by claiming that an advocate had received Rs 36 lakh for procuring a favorable decision, a Division Bench today marked an inquiry into the matter to District Judge (Vigilance).

The advocate, Satvinder Singh Sisodia, has already been issued a notice to show-cause why contempt proceedings be not initiated against him. During the resumed hearing of the court case, Sisodia filed a detailed affidavit, giving his side of the story. Sisodia has been claiming that the litigant, Darshan Singh, had taken a friendly loan of Rs 25 lakh, which he was not paying. The Bench asked Sisodia to hand over copy of his affidavit to the amicus curiae appointed by the court.

After going through the affidavit, the amicus suggested the need for a deep probe. He pointed out that a legal notice issued by Sisodia's counsel had accused Darhsan Singh of cheating Sisodia by providing him with fabricated documents for filing the case. 

After hearing the arguments, the bench marked the inquiry and directed the advocate and Darshan Singh to appear before the District Judge (Vigilance). — TNS

Chandigarh, June 1
The Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, comprising Acting Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Alok Singh, today issued notices for August 22 to the states of Punjab and Haryana and its DGPs, on a PIL for action against SSPs ordering indiscriminate transfers of SHOs before completion of their tenure.

Petitioner-cum-advocate HC Arora claimed this was in violation of the directions issued by the Supreme Court of India in Parkash Singh's case, directing all states that the SHOs of police stations must not be transferred before completion of their two-year tenure, except in compelling circumstances, like initiation of disciplinary proceedings, framing of charges in some criminal case, conviction on criminal charges, retirement or promotion etc.

The petitioner submitted in his PIL, that he has received information from SSPs in Punjab and Haryana, regarding transfers of SHOs under them, and noticed that on an average SHOs were being transferred within three or four months in violation of the directions.

Chandigarh, June 1
Resuming at overnight 356 for 8 Amritsar took their total to 393 in 129.3 overs before being bowled out. Overnight batsmen Arush carried his bat through the innings scoring unbeaten 92. For Mohali, Barinder Singh 3 for 131 and Gagandeep Singh 3 for 46 were the most successful bowlers.

Mohali in its 2nd innings were rocked back when, its first innings batting hero Harpreet Mander was snapped by wicket keeper Handa off Sunny on the 2nd ball of the innings without disturbing the scorer. Then Maninder Singh and Sachin Sohal retrieved the situation by putting on a century partnership (104) for the 2nd wicket before Sachin was trapped in front by Ashwani for 43. Maninder was cleaned up by Vinay Chaudhary for 63 with the team’s total reading 132. Vinay Chaudhary struck another blow when he caught and bowled Arshdeep Brar without any addition to team’s score. At this stage, Ankit Pursharthy and Bir Kanwar Virk got together to stitch a 73-run partnership for the 5th wicket before Ankit was bowled by Kanojia for 64. Bir Kanwar Virk unbeaten 41 and Narinder Rathore unbeaten 8 were together at the crease at the draw of stumps, with Mohali leading by 65 runs after neutralising the first innings lead.

Brief Scores:

Mohali 1st innings-231 all out in 72.1 overs.

Harpreet Mander 72, Sachin Sohal 63, Arshdeep Brar 36, Narinder Rathore 20

Sunny 3 for 49, Vinay Chaudhary 3 for 64 Abhinav Sharma 2 for 33 and Ashwani 2 for 56.

Amritsar 1st innings 393 for all in 129.3 overs

Rohan Marwaha 18 Abhinav Sharma 81, Navneet Singh 87, Arush 92 not out Vinay Chaudhary 28.

Barinder Singh 3 for 131, Narinder Kumar 1 for 60, Birkanwar Virk 1 for 5, Arshdeep Brar 1 for 54, Gagandeep Singh 3 for 148.

Mohali 2nd innings-227 for 5 in 83 overs.

Maninder Singh 63, Sachin Sohal 43, Ankit Pursharthy 64, Birkanwar Virk 41 not out, Narinder Rathore 8 not out.

Vinay Chaudhary 2 for 37, Sunny 1 for 58, Rahul Kanojia 1 for 44 and Ashwani 1 for 43.

In another match, a titanic struggle for the vital first innings lead saw Jalandhar take their overnight total of 291 for 6 to 351 all out in 103.5 overs and in the process take a vital 2 runs lead over Patiala. Himanshu Satyawan and Harry added 54 crucial runs for the 7th wicket. Amrinder Singh 5 for 143 and Beant Singh 2 for 50 was the most successful bowler for Patiala.

Patiala started its 2nd innings on a positive note and rattled 277 for 3 in 66 overs at close of 3rd days play. With a lead of 275 runs Patiala is likely to go all out for getting an outright result. Patiala’s innings was embellished by a sparkling unbeaten ton by Jeevanjot Singh 133 and was involved in the opening stand of 82 with Prabhjot 38 and a second wicket stand of 87 runs with Mohit Mohindra (43). At close of the play in partnership with Karan Kaila unbeaten 54 he had stitched an unbroken partnership of 97 runs for the fifth wicket. For Jalandhar Yogesh 1 for 91 and Harry 1 for 62 were the main wicket takers.

Brief Scores:

Patiala 1st innings 349 for all in 111.3 overs.

Himanshu Chawla 51, Mohit Mohindra 81,Vikrant 83,Amrinder Singh 27,Bhavish Goel 68, Yogesh Kumar 6 for 112.

Jalandhar 1st Innings 351 all out in 103.5 overs.

Nitish Sahota 41, Love Kumar 30, Siddharth Sharma 40, Himanshu Satyawan 119, Yogesh Kumar 36, Shubek Gill 22, Varun Khullar 15, Harry 17.

Amarinder Singh 5 for 143, Beant Singh 2 for 50, Sompal 1 for 33, Jeevanjot 1 for 40 and Karan Kaila 1 for 41.

Patiala 2nd Innings-277 for 3 in 66 overs.

Prabhjot Singh 38, Jeevanjot Singh 133 not out, Mohit Mohindra 43, Himanshu Chawla 4, Karan Kaila 54 not out, Yogesh 1 for 91 and Harry 1 for 62.

In the match played at PAU, Ludhiana, Chandigarh continued their slow grind against Ludhiana and ended the days play at 347 for 6 in 154 overs still trailing Ludhiana by 95 runs on the first innings. Veer Karan Goyal who was unbeaten on 55 overnight was instrumental in keeping the Chandigarh team in the hunt. First he along with Gaurav Puri (43) stitched a partnership of 76 runs. However, the redeeming feature of the Chandigarh innings was an unbroken partnership of 102 runs for the 7th wicket between Veer and Abhilash Sharma. Veer went on to complete a sedate unbeaten century (124) while Abhilash remained unbeaten on 68. Amrit Pal 2 for 40, Himanshu 2 for 86 was the main wicket taker for Ludhiana.

Brief Scores:

Ludhiana 1st innings 442 all out in 132.3 overs.

Nikhil Chaudhary 95, Devinder Sidhu 112, Gurinder Hara 54, Sandeep Singh 62,

Rattan Singh 2 for 110, Gurinder Singh 4 for 100 and Abhilash Sharma 1 for 118.

Chandigarh 1st innings 347 for 6 in 154 overs.

Veer Karan Goyal 124 not out, Abhilash Sharma 68 not out, Simranpreet Singh 29, Naveen Dhiman 23, Gaurav Puri 43, Gurinder Singh 20.

Himanshu 2 for 86, Amritpal 2 for 40 and Sukhjinder Singh 1 for 80.

Chandigarh, June 1
An 18-member Under-15 cricket team has been announced by Vivek High Asian Cricket Academy, which would leave for the U-15 President Cup, which is going to be held in Kathmandu in Nepal. The championship is being organised by Kathmandu Cricket Association from June 1.

The press release, issued to the media, here today, said that the team members include Raahat Kataira, Lakshneet Singh, Karan S. Chahal, Karan S. Chahal, Karan S. Chahal, Madhwan Verma, Abhishek Arora, Siddharth Arora, Rahul Sharma, Kabir S. Bedi, Shaurya Thakur, Devansh Naveet Mehta, Bhavneet Singh, Angad Singh, Sohrab Kamboj, Ishan Pratap Singh, Pratham Khanna, Viren Saggi, Jeevesh Jain, Aryan Saggi. Vipin Kumar Singh and Deepak Kumar would accompany the team as coach and Manager, respectively, the spokesman added. — TNS

Chandigarh, June 1
Saint Saupin’s lifted the First Brother Maccann under 13 trophy defeating Saint Annes by 6 wickets in the final match played at St. John cricket ground sector 26 here today.

After winning the toss, St Anne’s decided to bat first and put up 94 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs. Jaideep with 32 runs was top scorer of St Anne’s. For St Saupin’s, Prageep was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets giving away 8 runs in two overs.

Chasing the target of 94, St Saupin’s scored 95 runs for the loss of 4 wickets with just three overs to spare. Varun and Ayush were top scorers with 29 and 16 runs for St Sopin. Ritvik and Ektej Manon got one wicket each.