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2 held for encroaching on Dharmendra’s land
Notice to State, Centre, UT on Camelot project
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Finally, Lokpal gets office, now seeks more staff, powers
ASI’s daughter had close shave
Policemen targeted in the past too
Cong plans dharna against ASI’s killing
Trade expo kicks off in Amritsar
Private hospital offers to treat acid attack victim
Sanjha Morcha to launch stir on December 10
NHAI notice to upcoming DAV University
DGSE suspends govt teacher
Traders in food industry told to acquire licences
In black & white: HC clears air on Punjabi language for govt jobs
Contempt notice to Chief Secy, 2 others
Minor raped, strangled
Rs 1 crore seized during IT raids
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2 held for encroaching on Dharmendra’s land
Ludhiana, December 6 Senior Superintendent of Police (Vigilance) Satinder Singh said the arrested duo included property dealers Rohit Kapila and his aide Jaswant Singh, both residents of Haibowal. Kapila is said to have masterminded grabbing of the land, valued at several crores of rupees. Efforts were on to arrest patwari Balwinder Singh, the police official said. Of the 12 acres of land that he owned in Ajit Nagar, Dharmendra had sold 9 acres. The remaining 3 acres had been encroached upon by the land mafia. Rohit and Jaswant had allegedly illegally occupied 1,333 square yards of land by preparing a fake power of attorney. "A Jalandhar-based lawyer, patwari Balwinder Singh and Rajesh Nanchahal, a city resident, played an active role in grabbing the land," the police official said. Rohit Kapila, who earlier courted controversy when a property dealer, Rammanath Bhanot, shot himself in his office in March last year, was aware that the land belonged to Dharmendra. Sources said the gang involved an elaborate nexus of nambardars, employees of the Revenue Department and property dealers. They would first prepare fake land documents and then accordingly alter the land record that was in the possession of the Revenue Department. It was Ravinder Sood, a friend of Dharmendra, who brought the matter to the notice of the Vigilance Bureau. "I recently visited the area to check the ancestral land of Dharmendra and was shocked to witness the encroachments. I was even threatened by Rohit Kapila and his aides. Soon I came to know that he had prepared a fake power of attorney of the land. Without wasting any time, I informed the Vigilance officials," said Ravinder, a resident of Udham Singh Nagar, who is caretaker of Dharmendra's property. Abdul Khadus, who was booked for usurping Dharmendra's the ancestral land in 2010, has been named in the present FIR as well.
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Notice to State, Centre, UT on Camelot project
Chandigarh, December 6 The application was filed just about six months after Punjab made possible attempts to rescue the Tata Camelot project by stating before the High Court that Kansal village - where the skyscrapers are to be raised - was never intended to serve as Sukhna Lake’s catchment area. The assertion was made in May, just about a week after the High Court directed the States of Punjab and Haryana, along with the Chandigarh Administration, to stop construction activity in the Sukhna Lake’s catchment. Camelot, in the application, claimed Kansal area does not contribute water to the lake as it was situated some 2 km away from the water body. The case will now come up on December 18 The Chandigarh Administration has already hinted at an unholy nexus between the Punjab Government and Tata Housing by claiming that Nayagaon, Karoran, and Kansal master plan was tailor-made to accommodate the builder.
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Finally, Lokpal gets office, now seeks more staff, powers
Chandigarh, December 6 Justice Sekhon has sought more staff to streamline the functioning of the Lokpal office. At present, the Lokpal has an Inspector-General
(IG) of Police and some constables to investigate complaints. There is no Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Inspector and Sub-Inspector attached to the Lokpal office. “I have written to the state government asking them to provide supporting police and other staff to run the office,” Justice Sekhon said. With no power to punish the guilty, the Punjab Lokpal remains a toothless post. He can only recommend action to the Punjab Governor against the official found guilty. “As of now, the Lokpal can investigate complaints against public men and not public servants. However, most of the complaints received are against public servants,” said Justice
Sekhon. Meanwhile, Lokpals of various states, at a conference in New Delhi recently, called for strengthening the institution of
Lokpal.
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ASI’s daughter had close shave
Amritsar, December 6 Another eyewitness, Mahant Lal Pishoria, said: “The assailants beat up the ASI and then fired at him. They then pointed the gun at the girl, but it developed a snag. The ASI also tried to fire into the air, but in vain.” The angry residents said had the Chheharta police acted on time, the ASI could have been saved. “Ironically, the policemen from the Gharinda police station, which is 20 km away, reached the crime site before the Chheharta police,” they said. The deceased was posted at the Gharinda police station. Rampura:
“They should be killed in the manner they killed my son,” said a sobbing Harbans Singh, father of the deceased policeman. “The accused should be given the death penalty so that nobody dares to harass women... What can be more heinous than shooting at an injured person writhing in pain? The rule of the law doesn’t exist and criminals are roaming freely, said Mahabir Singh, Ravinderpal’s cousin. The village residents demanded that the name of the Chheharta Station House Officer (SHO) should also be included in the case, “as he is equally responsible for the incident.” Ravinderpal’s cremation will take place here tomorrow after his son, Navpreet Singh, arrives from Australia. n The accused misbehave with Robinjeet on December 1.They stop her two-wheeler but the girl escapes nRobinjeet narrates the incident to her father, ASI Ravinderpal singh, who lodges a complaint with the Chheharta police n On Dec 5, Robinjeet spots the vehicle used by the accused and rings up her father n Ravinderpal reaches the site, confronts the youths and warns them to keep off his daughter n The youths accuse the ASI saying of defaming them with his “false” complaint n They threaten to abduct his daughter n The key accused, Ranjeet Singh Rana, opens fire n A bullet hits the ASI’s right leg. Two bullets hit his car n The accused ran out of ammunition and flee, warning that they will return n The ASI contacts the police for help, but to no avail n The accused return, open fire at the injured ASI killing him
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Policemen targeted in the past too
Amritsar, December 6 In the past too policemen and their family members have been targeted by offenders with political connections. On August 7 this year, a police officer of the level of Station House Officer (SHO) could not initiate action against youths who allegedly misbehaved with his daughter. The well-connected offenders were able to go scot free. As a police team led by the then Deputy Commissioner of Police (DSP) Sat Pal Joshi nabbed the two youths near the Bhandari Bridge, a “VIP” in a car with a red beacon intervened. Joshi and his team had to let go of the youths. The police team later learnt that the “VIP” was the son of a BJP legislator. On November 26, a policeman regulating traffic was abused and manhandled by a couple in the Chatiwind area. Manjit Singh and his wife Sarabjit Kaur were reportedly offended when Kulbir Singh asked them to park their car in a parking lot. On November 24, another policeman, Sardara Singh, was beaten up by a group of five youths when he was on duty near the Regent Cinema. He received knife injuries. A couple of years ago, constable Balwinder Singh was shot dead at the busy Lawrence Road. Moga: At least 12 cases of assault on police personnel have been reported in Moga district this year. On August 21, an attempt was made to kill Assistant Sub-Inspector Inderjit Singh while he was on patrol duty. On August 6, Sub-Inspector Gurwinder Singh, Station House Officer , Baghapurana, was shot at. On June 3, SHO Gurwinder Singh survived an attack on his life. On June 2, Head Constable Jagsir Singh was injured in an altercation with some youths,. On May 4, a police party was attacked in the Nihalsinghwala subdivision while transporting criminals to court.
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Cong plans dharna against ASI’s killing
Rampura, December 6 Jakhar was among those who visited the family of the deceased ASI to offer condolences. Accusing the ruling party of “criminalisation of politics”, he said the incident was a “wake-up call” for the police. He asked the Chief Minister to own moral responsibility for the incident and resign. “ The police has lost its spine and is totally subservient to its political masters”. Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia visited the bereaved family on behalf of the state government. Among others who visited the family were National Commission for SC Vice-Chairman Rajkumar Verka, former Punjab Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Attari MLA Gulzar Singh Ranike and district SAD chief Upkar Singh Sandhu. — TNS
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Sukhbir must quit, says state YC chief
Chandigarh, December 6 Addressing a press conference here, he said: “A ruling party-backed leader had the audacity to kill a policeman in broad daylight in Amritsar. Prior to that, a Deputy Superintendent of Police was killed in Ludhiana.” He also referred to the Shruti abduction case. “The government has hijacked the ambulance project in the state whereas it is an initiative of the Central Government. We don’t have objections to pictures of the Chief Minister being pasted on the ambulances but those of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s should also be given space,” he said. He criticised the government for registering “false” cases against Congress supporters protesting on the issue. — TNS
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Trade expo kicks off in Amritsar
Amritsar, December 6 The event will be officially inaugurated tomorrow by state Industry Minister Anil Joshi. Industrialists from Pakistan are keen to invest in the state and official deliberations are under progress in this direction. Delegations from six chambers of commerce and industry of Pakistan are participating in the trade expo. More than 100 exhibitors are also participating. Traders from both sides today proposed to establish a “friendship park” to strengthen trade ties. “At present, around 137 articles are being exported to Pakistan from India. We hope to increase this list by 7,200 articles. Our purpose of visit is to let the Indian Government know that we want to establish our trade in India. We urge both the governments to ease visa norms,” said Jaffar Bakhtawari from Pakistan. Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Dr Andaan Iqbal said PITEX was the best platform to enhance trade ties. Besides Pakistan, the event will witness participation from Mozambique, Egypt, Lebanon, Thailand, Hong Kong, Nepal, Ghana, and Afghanistan.
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Pvt hospital to treat acid attack victim Chandigarh, December 6 Appreciating the gesture, the High Court today invited the representative of Fortis Hospital to assist the court on December 20, the next date of hearing. Accused Manjit Singh of Zirakpur had entered the victim's house on December 8, 2011, when the victim, Inderjit Kaur, was sitting with her mother Ranjit Kaur. He threw acid on her as she had declined his marriage offer. Her face was completely disfigured, her eyesight affected. The National Commission for Women had earlier recommended that such victims should be given Rs 5 lakh for rehabilitation.
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Sanjha Morcha to launch stir on December 10
Jalandhar, December 6 Talking to mediapersons, PPP president Manpreet Badal said the Sanjha Morcha would hold demonstrations at all the district headquarters between December 10 and December 17 against “lawlessness, imposition of new taxes, prevalence of sand, transport and cable mafia and corruption”. He said the Sanjha Morcha would fill the vacuum created due to inactiveness of the opposition party (the Congress) in Punjab.
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NHAI notice to upcoming DAV University
Jalandhar, December 6
The notice has been served under the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002, to the university management for trying to gain access to the ‘killer’ Jalandhar-Pathankot-Jammu highway by building side lanes alongside it without seeking permission from the NH authorities. The university is coming up in Samastpur village on the highway and is likely to add to the traffic congestion, claimed the highway authorities. Vipinesh Sharma, projection director of the National Highways, Jalandhar, claimed that the DAV university management along with 20 other ‘highway encroachers’ had been served notices for taking illegal access to the highway. He, however, claimed that the DAV management had started the construction work of such a huge complex without seeking mandatory permission. Sharma said the university was trying to gain access to the highway through the side lanes which it is building along the highway. As per the Act: No person shall have right of access to a highway either through any vehicle or on foot by a group of five or more persons except permitted by the highway administration either generally or specifically in the manner specified in section 29. The access to a highway under sub-section shall be subject to the guidelines and instructions issued by the Central Government from time to time. The highway administration may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare a highway or any portion thereof to be limited for access in the manner as specified in such notification and may also impose any restriction or control on such access from or across such highway as specified in that notification, the project director added. He said that the highway administration or the authorised officer has the power to remove such access. CL Kochher, Regional Director (Engineering Colleges) DAV Management Committee, claimed it was a minor issue and the management had already completed all the required formalities. “The project director is a newcomer and was not aware of the status of the university’s file in his office. I received the notice today and have talked to him on the issue,” said Kochher. He, however, claimed that certain rivals of their institution were airing such petty issues for their vested interests. The university, coming up at a cost of Rs 385 crore on 11.69 acre in Samstpur village, was embroiled in a controversy earlier also, when the Income Tax Department had raided the residences of a Regional Director and a city-based property dealer in April 2012 for evading taxes while purchasing land for the university. At loggerheads * The university was embroiled in a controversy earlier also, when the IT dept had raided the residence of the Regional Director
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DGSE suspends govt teacher
Patiala, December 6 Madhu had manhandled her colleague a couple of days ago in front of the school managing committee. The DGSE said Neelam visited his office a few days ago and showed her injury marks. "She was visibly shaken and said that Madhu had thrashed her in full public view after she had asked for the midday meal record. I immediately marked an enquiry to the District Education Officer concerned. Based on Neelam’s report, we have transferred Madhu to Government Primary School, Chittorgarh in Gurdaspur district. She has also been suspended under the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules," he said. Pannu said this was not the first time a complaint had been filed against Madhu. Earlier too, she had been transferred for causing indiscipline in the school. “Members of the school managing committee, village sarpanch and a few others had supported Neelam’s claim that Madhu had thrashed her," added the
DGSE.
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Traders in food industry told to acquire licences
Patiala, December 6 Officiating Civil Surgeon Dr Purshottam Goyal said that all sweet makers, confectioners, bakery owners and hoteliers have been directed to get their licences. We have fixed a fee of Rs 100 to Rs 3,000 for different businesses. District Health Officer Dr Harish Malhotra said shopkeepers whose annual sale was more than Rs 12 lakh, dairy units and milk plants with storage capacity of more than 500 litres would need to pay an annual registration fee between Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. — TNS
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In black & white: HC clears air on Punjabi language for govt jobs
Chandigarh, December 6 The ruling is significant as it affects employees of the Punjab Government as well as the UT administration as the latter follows the Punjab pattern in the absence of its own rules. The judgment is expected to go a long way in clearing the air on the knowledge of Punjabi for appointment and promotion purposes. The issue was brought up before a Division Bench of the High Court by Kuldeep Chand. In his appeal filed in the High Court against the UT District and Sessions Judge, Kuldeep Chand had challenged an order passed by the Single Judge of the High Court on February 27, 2012. The Single Judge, vide the order, had refused to decide in his favour writ petition challenging the action of respondent in not promoting him. Appearing before the court, his counsel had argued the Chandigarh administration had not framed separate rules for appointment or promotion. As such, Punjab rules were applicable for the purpose of promotion of employees of the Chandigarh administration. After going through the documents and rival contentions, the Division Bench of Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice Rajiv Narain Raina asserted: “It has been found by the Single Bench that the appellant cannot be said to have knowledge of Punjabi as he cannot write Punjabi”. Dismissing the appeal, the Bench asserted: “In terms of the rules applicable for the purpose of promotion, the knowledge of Punjabi is a necessary condition. Therefore, the person who cannot write Punjabi cannot be deemed to be having knowledge of Punjabi. Consequently, we do not find that there is any illegality in the order passed by Single Judge, which may warrant interference in appeal”. Stay on engineer's arrest
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Contempt notice to Chief Secy, 2 others
Chandigarh, December 6 Justice Rakesh Kumar Garg issued notices for January 21 to Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary DS Bains, Secretary (Home) Samir Kumar on a contempt petition filed by advocate HC Arora. Arora has alleged deliberate violation of an undertaking given to a Division Bench of the HC by the Punjab Government on September 21, on the minimum assured tenure of one year to be given to PPS and IPS officers. Arora said he had filed a PIL for directing the government to ensure the meticulous compliance of provisions contained in Section 15 of The Punjab Police Act, 2007, on minimum assured tenure of one year for DSPs, SPs and SSPs. During the hearing, Samir Kumar filed an affidavit that in future, the provisions would be meticulously complied with. In view of the assurance, the PIL was disposed of on September 21, by directing the government to strictly comply with the undertaking filed by it in the court on that date. The petitioner submitted that in violation of the undertaking, Bains issued transfer orders of 27 PPS and IPS officers on October 11. At least eight officers were transferred before completion of the minimum assured tenure of one year.
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Minor raped, strangled
Gurdaspur, December 6 Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Raj Jit Singh sent a team of officers under Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Jaspal Singh to the site. A case under Sections 302 (murder) and 376 (rape) of the IPC has been registered with the Dorangla police station.The SSP said at least 24 persons, including 13 labourers, had been rounded up and were being questioned. The 12-year-old girl had gone out for an errand. When she did not return, her family members started combing the area and found her body. The victim’s father is a bus driver with the Bharyal Lari School Academy. The victim’s relatives held a demonstration at the busy Post Office Chowk this afternoon, alleging police inaction. — TNS
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Rs 1 crore seized during IT raids
Ludhiana, December 6 The officials raided places in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Rajpura, Chandigarh and Mohali and discovered many undeclared bank accounts. The premises of film distributors namely, Batra Films and Speed Films and Records were raided by the IT department. The other persons whose premises were raided, included singers Miss Pooja, Gippy Grewal and Daljit Dosanjh and film producer Darshan Pal Singh Grewal. Harjit Singh Sohi, Director (Investigations) said, "The investigations have started and we will soon find out the amount of unaccounted money these people have got in their possession."
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Robinjeet Kaur, daughter of killed ASI Ravinderpal Singh, could have also been killed had the assailant not run out of ammunition, said eyewitnesses.
Shiv Kumar, a shopkeeper at Chheharta who pelted stones at the attackers, said: “I reached the spot after hearing gunshots. I saw the ASI lying injured waiting for help as his daughter pleaded with him to accompany her to a hospital.”
Justice Jai Singh Sekhon
(retd), who was appointed Lokpal last month, today occupied the office. His staff members have also started functioning from there.