R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Ludhiana
Life term for raping 4-yr-old girl: Additional Sessions Judge Mandeep Pannu today sentenced an Amritsar resident to life imprisonment for raping a four-and-a-half-year-old girl. A fine of Rs 10,000 was also slapped on the accused, Yog Raj (47), alias Yogi, a resident of Golden Colony area in Ram Bagh. Dismissing the convict’s plea for leniency, the court observed that he had committed a heinous crime and, therefore, deserved no relief. A case was registered against him at Basti Jodhewal police station on April 7, 2011, on a complaint by the victim’s father. Yogi used to live in a rented accommodation at Sukhdev Nagar in Ludhiana and he raped the child when she was out to play. The accused had claimed false implication, but the court, on the basis of the available evidence, pronounced him guilty. 

Nangal
Teacher held for molesting students: A schoolteacher, Inderjit Singh of Pathankot, was today arrested for allegedly molesting some students of Government Middle School, Bhanupli. SS Dhaliwal, DSP, said only two teachers were posted in the school. He said after the parents of a Class VIII student lodged a complaint against Inderjit that the latter had molested their daughter, many other students leveled similar allegations against the teacher. 

Nawashahr
3 killed in mishaps: Three persons, identified as Avtar Singh, his daughter Gurpreet Kaur of Jainpur village, and Parmanand, a migratory labourer, were killed in two road accidents here in the district on Wednesday. Both father and daughter were killed, when the scooty they were riding, was hit by a Scorpio near Mazari village on the Garhshanker-Balachaur road. Avtar Singh was taking his daughter to her college at Balachaur. In another road mishap, near Garhi Kanugo village, Parmand, a migratory labourer, was killed on the spot. 

Patiala
Couple among three booked in rape case: The Patran police registered a case of rape and conspiracy against Amrik Singh, his wife Manjeet Kaur and Jeoon Singh, all residents of Hamjharhi village, on Tuesday. Sources said the victim had alleged Jeoon Singh had raped her for a week in consultation with Manjeet and her husband Amrik. A case under sections 376, 506 and 120-B of the IPC has been registered against the accused who are yet to be arrested. 

Sangrur
Teacher caught drunk on duty, suspended: During a visit to Government High School, Mahmadpur (Sherpur), District Education Officer (Secondary) Nirmal Singh Sohi on Wednesday allegedly caught social study master Surinderpal Singh under the influence of liquor. The teacher, who was officiating as in charge of the school today, was handed over to the Sherpur police for a medical examination. Sohi said the teacher had admitted his mistake in writing. On the directions of the Director General of School Education, the Surinderpal had been suspended, he added.