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Two office-bearers of SAD’s Amritsar dist unit expelled
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DIG Umranangal reinstated
ASI’s family wants police post for son
State to verify self-reported cancer cases
State BJP president election on Dec 16
Ex-DGP Gill rubs Akali, BJP leaders the wrong way
RTS panel: Act against erring Faridkot staff
Kabaddi World Cup
Mohali police yet to book Namdhari
Dharmendra’s
land grab
Graft case: Pherurai challenges conviction
Single Bench order set aside
Farmer commits suicide, two arhtiyas booked
Man found murdered
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Two office-bearers of SAD’s Amritsar dist unit expelled
Amritsar, December 11 Rana is the key accused in the murder of Assistant Sub-Inspector Ravinderpal Singh. An Akali leader, who did not want to be named, claimed that Rana was mainly known for ferrying people to Akali rallies. Sandhu said: “We have started screening the antecedents of all Akali workers. Block presidents and ward heads have been told to check the background of every party activist. They have been warned that they will be held responsible in case a worker is found involved in any nefarious activity.”
Rana sent to 8-day police custody The prime accused in the ASI murder case, Ranjit Singh Rana, and his accomplice Dharamvir Singh Dharma were sent to eight-day police custody by a local court today. The two were produced before Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Sulekha Rani. Earlier, the two, along with the third accused, Prabhjot Singh, were produced in a Tarn Taran court which sent them to judicial custody till December 24. The fourth accused, Gurbir Singh Bira, was sent to six days' police custody yesterday. The fifth accused, Sandeep Rajpal, is yet to be arrested. Two cases - one for firing at a police squad near Sohal village and another for possessing arms- were registered at the Jhabal police station and the Khemkaran police station, respectively. A murder case was registered with the Chheharta police station.
Head Constable suspended Meanwhile, Jasbir Singh, Head Constable, Chheharta police station, has been suspended. Assistant Sub-Inspector Varinder Kumar has been shifted to the Police Lines.
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DIG Umranangal reinstated
Chandigarh, December 11 The state government's decision to reinstate Umranangal is puzzling, considering that the officer was suspended last week “for not performing his duties efficiently and creating indiscipline in the Border Range.” Though DS Bains, Principal Secretary, Home, was not available for comment, sources said the Home Department had reinstated Umranangal after he submitted that he had taken various measures to bring the accused Akali worker, Ranjit Singh Rana, to book. The 1995-batch IPS officer had earlier been transferred from Faridkot. He had released to the media pictures of a minor girl, Shruti, allegedly abducted by an Akali worker, to give the impression that the girl had left her house of her own accord. The Punjab Police is yet to release the report of any formal inquiry conducted into this matter even though Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who also holds the Home portfolio, had claimed that strict action would be taken against any police officer found wanting in handling the Shruti case. Sources said the government seemed to have taken a political decision in Umranangal's case. His suspension earlier was also seen as an attempt to douse the fire. The sources said his suspension had been revoked so soon because of his clout in political circles as well as the confidence bestowed on him by the police top brass. Umranangal is facing a probe in a case involving the killing of Sukhpal Singh of Kala Afghana village in Ropar. Sukhpal was taken away from his house in August 1994. He never returned. Years later, it was revealed that he had been killed in place of dreaded terrorist Gurnam Singh Bandala. Umranangal had received a gallantry award for killing Bandala, who was revealed to have been caught alive. Umranangal is also accused of harassing and implicating Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi in a human trafficking case. Mehndi had claimed that Umranangal had sought a bribe of Rs 1.5 crore from him.
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Retired DSP points finger at Umranangal
Faridkot, December 11 Speaking to mediapersons here, the retired officer said that when he brought the matter to the notice of the authorities concerned, Umranangal, then the Senior Superintendent of Police, Faridkot, turned vindictive and implicated him in a false case, accusing him of pilfering kerosene. Umranangal, he said, coerced three persons into giving an undertaking against him. “But I was saved after I brought the matter to the notice of CID officials ," Kuldip Singh claimed. Umranangal denied the allegations. He said the DSP was accused of siphoning kerosene and criminal proceedings against him were initiated on the basis of evidence. — TNS
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ASI’s family wants police post for son
Chandigarh, December 11 Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had announced that the ASI's 22-year-old daughter Robinjeet Kaur would be employed as Sub-Inspector for showing examplary courage in trying to save her father from the attackers. The ASI's family has reportedly expressed its interest in a police post for Navpreet Singh. DS Bains, Principal Secretary (Home), said: "We have received an informal communication for a post for Robinjeet Kaur in the civil branch, equivalent to that of Sub-Inspector.This would mean a Naib Tehsildar's post for Robinjeet. A final decision is expected at a Cabinet meeting scheduled for tomorrow.” The government was committed to helping the family of the deceased ASI, Bains added. Robinjeet has a degree in Information Technology. Her brother Navpreet has done a diploma in hospitality from an institute in Australia.
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State to verify self-reported cancer cases
Chandigarh, December 11 The first phase covered 40 per cent of the state population. It has been found at least 17,219 persons died of cancer in the last five years. Another 12,984 persons confirmed they have cancer while 39,957 suspected of having suffering from the disease. In the second phase, all the suspects and even those claiming to be suffering from cancer will be taken to health institutions for a diagnosis and treatment. During the first 10 days of the campaign, as many as 2,40,794 houses were visited by more than 40,000 field workers. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, said: "The field workers have been trained to introduce a handout to the people in simple language. As many as 12 symptoms indicative of the suspicion of cancer are listed in detail in the handout which is given to each household. The information gathered is then filled in a proforma. "The field workers explain only the handout which is given to each household. The symptoms mentioned there are expected to be understood by each individual so as to contact the health functionaries when such symptoms appear. There is no technical terminology used. No field worker either examines the patient or makes any diagnosis or even gives opinion on the symptoms of any individual. They only record the information given by the households". Mahajan said the exercise was being undertaken to ascertain the number of confirmed and suspected cancer cases and deaths due to the disease. "In the first phase till date, the data suggests that only 70,100 persons in a population of 1.11 crore surveyed so far feel that they are either suffering from cancer or there has been a death in the family due to it in last five years or someone in the family is having symptoms which may come out to be cancer after a medical examination”. Dr Ashok Nayyar, Director, Health and Family Welfare, said the campaign was expected to be over by the end of this month. "The data is being compiled by more than 3,000 officials through a mobile phone software".
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State BJP president election on Dec 16
Chandigarh, December 11 Among the top contenders are the incumbent president Ashwani Kumar Sharma and general secretary of the state unit Kamal Sharma. Pathankot MLA Ashwani will complete his three-year term as president next month. Kamal is at present adviser to the Chief Minister. Both leaders owe their allegiance to the RSS ideology. — TNS
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Ex-DGP Gill rubs Akali, BJP leaders the wrong way
Moga, December 11 He has once again invited criticism, this time for ignoring several local SAD and BJP leaders at a function on Saturday organised to mark the start of the Shatabdi train from Moga to New Delhi. The stage was managed by Jarnail Singh Duneke who had created a furore just before the assembly elections for sharing dais with Gill, despite his ‘shady’ past. A few months ago, Duneke was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in a property dispute case. However, he was granted bail. His name figures in the list of ‘bad characters’ of the police. Duneke, probably on the directions of Gill, did not give time to SAD district president Tirath Singh Mahla and former Moga MC president Barjinder Singh Brar to address the gathering. Both leaders were seated on the dais. Brar’s supporters held a meeting here yesterday and expressed ‘unhappiness’ over Gill’s indifference towards the party cadres. Gurwinderjit Singh Bablu, a former councillor, said: “Brar, during his tenure as president of the local body, carried out extensive development works and passed a resolution for elevating the status of the municipal council to that of corporation. Ignoring him in local politics is not acceptable to us.” BJP leader Anil Bansal was among several former councillors who did not find a seat on the stage. Finance secretary of the state BJP unit Mohan Lal Sethi and senior Akali leader Jathedar Tota Singh were not invited to the function. “Both these leaders have played a key role in developing this area. They also had a pivotal role in maintaining communal amity during the militancy era.” Brar said: “A deputation of local leaders will meet party president Sukhbir Badal. We can’t have demoralised party workers ahead of the corporation elections.”
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RTS panel: Act against erring Faridkot staff
Chandigarh, December 11 According to the news report published today, in Faridkot, certain district officials were circumventing the Act to avoid penalty. It was stated that some employees had stopped mentioning the date on the receipt issued to the applicants after the latter applied for any service under the Act. In absence of a date on the receipt, it becomes difficult for an applicant to challenge any delay in service delivery. The commission, which held its meeting here today, has directed the Deputy Commissioner to decide the case within 10 days. The commission, while appreciating the gesture of the media in highlighting the genuine problem of the public, said it was regularly monitoring the implementation of the Act. “Wherever there is lack of delivery, the commission always direct the officials concerned to deliver the service immediately,” the panel said.
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Kabaddi
World Cup
Ludhiana, December 11 The Pakistan delegation will be led by the Chief Minister of Punjab Pakistan, Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif, who will be the chief guest. He is scheduled to visit his native village Jatti Umra in Tarn Taran district on December 16. The state government has constituted a seven-member committee comprising the Principal Secretary, Industry, the Principal Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister, the Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP), Security, the ADGP, Intelligence, the Principal Secretary Transport, the Principal Secretary, Civil Aviation, and the Principal Secretary, Public Relations, for overseeing arrangements for the VVIP guests. The Principal Secretary, Civil Aviation, has been asked to make arrangements for four helicopters and two planes for the delegates. The Principal Secretary, Transport, has been told to arrange for two Mercedes buses.
Let's play kabaddi, Maluka to Cong Mansa: Education Minister and president of the Punjab Kabaddi Association Sikander Singh Maluka today challenged Congress leaders to a kabaddi match with Akali legislators. "I challenge the Congress MLAs to a kabaddi match anytime in the near future," said Maluka. He said this would help popularise the sport among youngsters. "The question is as to who will decide the Congress team, Capt Amarinder Singh or somebody else," quipped Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Sports, Pawan Kumar Tinu, who was seated next to Maluka. — TNS
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Mohali police yet to book Namdhari
Mohali, December 11 The orders were issued two days ago following an inquiry by Principal Secretary (Home) DS Bains wherein he found several irregularities in issuance of the licence. Mohali SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed they had not yet received the orders. “We are yet to receive the orders. As soon as we get them, the required action (as per the order) would be taken accordingly,” said
Bhullar.
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Trucks take detour to avoid Ropar toll plaza
Ropar, December 11 The truck drivers in order to avoid paying tax at the toll plaza that came up in Ropar recently use the link roads going through these villages. On December 9, while a speeding tipper rammed into the boundary wall of a house in Behram Pur village, on November 13, a truck had collided into the wall of a classroom of the local government school situated on the roadside. On November 16, a car hit a local resident, who was riding a bicycle. At the toll plaza, the charges for a car to get through are Rs 38; for a light commerical vehicle it is Rs 67 and for a truck it is Rs 134. A multi-axle vehicle owner has to pay Rs 215 for a one side trip. The route that the commuters take to avoid paying the toll tax is merely 2-km longer. The increased traffic on the roads has put lives of our children at risk, said Surjan Singh, a resident of Behram Pur. “The heavy traffic has broken our roads. We have lodged a complaint with the authorities several times but to no avail,” said Ranjit, a resident of Asmanpur village. Ropar Deputy Commissioner PK Aggrawal, however, denied receiving any such complaint from the residents. “When I receive the complaints, I will
take appropriate action,” he added.
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Dharmendra’s land grab
Ludhiana, December 11 “Sheela Rani owned 600 sq yds of land in Haibowal area. The mafia was aware of it and conspired with the store keeper of the record room to change the land records. The land mafia showed Sheela Rani to be the owner of Dharmendra's property. It was also found that a woman from Jalandhar posing as Sheela Rani transferred the power of attorney in the name of the accused persons,” said Ravinder Sood, the caretaker of Dharmendra’s property. He said the fake power of attorney was executed in 2001. Satinder Singh, SSP (Vigilance), Ludhiana range, said, “We have come to know about the involvement of women in the scam. These women impersonate the actual land holders and help the land grabbers in obtaining a fake land record. We are conducting raids in Jalandhar and the accused woman would soon be arrested.”
Jassi’s spouse in danger
After it came to light that Jaswant Singh was a part of the land mafia, Jassi’s husband Sukhwinder Singh appealed to the government for security. Jaswant Singh spent two years in jail for being involved in the honour killing of Jassi in 2000. He was later acquitted.
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Graft case: Pherurai challenges conviction
Chandigarh, December 11 Pherurai was prosecuted on the allegations that he bribed Punjab Public Service Commission's former Chairman Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu for the selection of his daughter Kuljit Kaur. Challenging the Special Judge's judgment dated September 17, convicting him under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act before sentencing to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years, Pherurai said the prosecution examined seven witnesses. But, "all have not supported the case of the prosecution". His counsel Sant Pal Singh Sidhu said there was absolutely no evidence on the file to connect the appellant with the alleged crime. "The witnesses have categorically deposed that their statements under Section 164 CrPC (before the magistrate) were recorded under pressure and they have not voluntarily recorded their statements pertaining to the appellant or his daughter Kuljit Kaur. "From the defence evidence, produced by the appellant, it is clearly proved that the present case was a case of political vendetta. But, the trial court has not considered the defence evidence produced by the appellant". The appellant added from defence evidence it was clearly proved that the then Chief Minister of Punjab "openly announced in political rallies that in case the Congress came to power, it will teach a lesson to the appellant". He said in any case the sentence awarded to the appellant was "highly on the excessive side". "Keeping in view the submissions, the court may be pleased to allow the present appeal, set aside the impugned judgment and order by the trial court, and acquit the appellant of the charges framed against him in the interest of justice, equity and fair play".
‘CASE OF POLITICAL VENDETTA’ — Pherurai’s counsel
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Single Bench order set aside
Chandigarh, December 11 The Bench said “strangely” the Single Judge directed the petitioner’s counsel to supply the petition’s copies to the State counsel, with a word of caution that the case would be considered dismissed if the same was not done. But, at the same time went on to decide the matter. The Case In his petition before the Single Judge against the State of Punjab and other respondents, Baldev Singh and other petitioners had sought directions for restoration of “increments of proficiency step up”. Taking up the matter, the Single Judge had noted the acceptance of notice by Punjab Deputy Advocate-General (DAG), before observing, “Counsel for the petitioners undertakes to supply four copies of the petition to the DAG during the course of the day, failing which the order shall be automatically recalled and the writ petition shall be deemed to have been dismissed for non-prosecution”. The Judge had gone on to add, “Having regard to the nature of order which I propose to pass, there is no necessity to call upon the respondents to file their counter-reply/affidavit, at this stage…. It is not disputed that this case is squarely covered by the decision of a Division Bench of this Court in Satbir Singh and others versus the State of Haryana. Resultantly, this writ petition is disposed of in the same terms as in Satbir Singh and others' case. The Comments Taking up the State’s appeal, Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain asserted the writ petition by Baldev Singh and others was allowed by the Single Judge vide on February 14 without giving opportunity to the State to file a reply. “Strangely, in the opening paragraph of the impugned order, the Single Judge has directed the counsel for the respondents herein to supply the copies of the petition to the DAG, recording that if the same is not done, the writ petition shall be deemed to have been dismissed for non-prosecution. “However, simultaneously, without even service of copies of the petition on the appellants/respondents, who were asked to accept notice in the Court, the writ petition is allowed holding that it is squarely covered by the judgement of the Division Bench and, therefore, there is no need to elicit any reply. “It is the submission of counsel for the appellants/respondents that the case was not covered by the judgement of the Division Bench referred to in… It is not necessary to go into this question for the reasons that the writ petition was allowed on the very first day without even service of copies of the petition on the appellants/respondents. On this ground alone, we set aside the impugned order and remit the case back to the Single Judge”.
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Farmer commits suicide, two arhtiyas booked
Moga, December 11 His cousin Jeet Singh told the police that Jaswinder had taken Rs 40,000 as loan from commission agents Satwinder Kumar and Prem Chand. He had returned some part of the loan but they had been pressurising him to return the entire loan along with interest, he said. Senior Superintendent of Police Surjit Singh Grewal said the arhtiyas had booked on the charges of abetment to suicide. "We have launched a hunt to nab them", he added. — TNS
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Rs 5.5 lakh stolen from Patiala bank
Patiala, December 11 Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Gurpreet Singh Gill said that the thieves entered the bank at around 11.30 pm as per the recording of the CCTV camera. “Later they cut through the bank safe and escaped with the money,” he said, adding that raiding teams had been formed to arrest the accused. When contacted, Passiana Station House Officer Jaswinder Tiwana refused to comment.
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Patiala, December 11 Sadar Station House Officer Surjit Singh Dhanoa said the victim drove an autorickshaw for a living. “His body was recovered in the morning after some passers-by informed us that there was a corpse lying near an autorickshaw on Sirhind Road,” he said. Police said that prima facie it appeared the victim was hit multiple times on the face with a sharp-edged weapon. “We are working on various theories and the case would be solved soon,” said Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Gurpreet Singh Gill.— TNS
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Drug haul in Patiala, police arrests two
Rajpura, December 11 The accused have been identified as Satnam Singh from Kapurthala and Devi Singh from Madhya Pradesh. Police is questioning the accused to ascertain their role and to find out the identities of their contacts. The police said the accused had a criminal record with several cases registered against them under the NDPS Act and were nabbed by the officials of the Shambhu police station. The 1.5 kg smack seized is considered to be a huge amount as the amount of smack usually seized only weighs a few grams. “Both the accused were trying to board a bus in Shambhu when a police team checked their bag, which allegedly contained the contraband,” said Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Gurpreet Singh Gill.
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