Mandela, a true Gandhian: CM
New Delhi, December 6
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit condoled the death of Nelson Mandela today, describing him as a true Gandhian, an outstanding hero and a crusader against apartheid.

Repoll in Jangpura constituency today
New Delhi, December 6
Repolling has been announced in the Jangpura Assembly constituency by Delhi Chief Electoral Office (CEO) owing to a technical snag developed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on Wednesday, the day the city voted for Delhi Assembly elections.

The students of Jawaharlal Nehru University shout slogans during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Friday, demanding action on all the pending cases of communal violence. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui

Eight convicted of group housing society scam
New Delhi, December 6
The Special Judge of CBI, Rohini Courts, has convicted eight accused, including former Registrar of Co-operative Societies, in a case of irregularities in reviving a defunct group housing society.

Gallantry awardees honoured
New Delhi, December 6
Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung today felicitated the gallantry awardees and Distinguished Service Medal winners on the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day at a function held at Raj Niwas in the presence of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, senior government, Army, Navy and Air Force officers.

SI’s weapon goes off accidentally
New Delhi, December 6
A Delhi Police sub-inspector’s service weapon was accidentally fired while he was reportedly drunk and relieving himself in southwest Delhi’s Rajokri area early this morning. The sub-inspector is identified as Vinod Kumar. No one was injured in the incident as the bullet hit the ground. According to the police, Kumar is posted at the Connaught Place police station in Delhi. He was appointed for an election duty in R K Puram and was returning home this morning when the incident took place. — TNS

BJP workers urged to follow path of Ambedkar
New Delhi, December 6
Paying floral tributes to Bhim Rao Ambedkar on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan Diwas, Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel said that the challenge of completing the work of social justice started by Ambedkar was still a challenge before society. Goel said that until the objective of social justice is achieved, political and economic justice cannot be realized. He appealed to the workers that they should follow the path shown by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. — TNS

Mandela, a true Gandhian: CM
Tribune news Service

New Delhi, December 6
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit condoled the death of Nelson Mandela today, describing him as a true Gandhian, an outstanding hero and a crusader against apartheid.

“Mandela was a true Gandhian and an outstanding world personality. Indians have a great respect for him. His enormous contribution in elimination of apartheid will always be remembered. Mandela will continue to inspire all human rights activists across the globe,” she said.

Mandela’s struggle in South Africa turned him a champion of the values of equality and freedom of expression. He was a trusted friend of India, she added.

The All India Forward Bloc also expressed grief over the demise of the anti-apartheid leader.

“The world has lost a great leader who fought against injustice, racial discrimination and apartheid that enabled Africans to live with pride,” said G Devarajan, secretary of All India Forward Bloc.

Mandela’s life and contribution has become an inspiration to the progressive forces all over the world and will remain so forever, he added.

Repoll in Jangpura constituency today
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 6
Repolling has been announced in the Jangpura Assembly constituency by Delhi Chief Electoral Office (CEO) owing to a technical snag developed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on Wednesday, the day the city voted for Delhi Assembly elections.

A senior official of CEO said that repolling will be done tomorrow at booth number-42 located at Municipal Primary School in Sarai Kale Khan. It will be done between 8 am and 5 pm.

A decision in this regard was taken by the District Election Officer due to a snag in EVMs and procedural lapses. “Repoll has been ordered at a polling booth in the Jangpura Assembly constituency after we realised that the EVMs were causing problems on the day of polling,” said the official.

However, according to sources in CEO, repolling is being done as the presiding officers forgot to clear the EVM after the mock polls. “Official forgot to clear the memory after mock polls. It was noticed during the scrutiny,” said the sources.

The main contestants from this constituency are Tarvinder Singh Marwah of the Congress, BJP’s Pankaj Jain, Maninder Singh Dhir of the Aam Admi Party and Suresh Gupta of the Bahujan Samaj Party.

Repolling was ordered in the last Assembly elections also in 2008. A polling station in the Matiala Assembly constituency and two stations in Burari went through repolling due to the similar reasons.

Delhi witnessed voting for 70 Assembly constituencies on December 4, the results of which will be declared on December 8.

Eight convicted of group housing society scam
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 6
The Special Judge of CBI, Rohini Courts, has convicted eight accused, including former Registrar of Co-operative Societies, in a case of irregularities in reviving a defunct group housing society.

According to the CBI, the court has sentenced Narayan Diwakar, the then Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Delhi, to imprisonment for one year and nine months; Yogi Raj, the then Assistant Registrar; Niranjan Singh, the then dealing assistant; Faiz Mohammed, the then Inspector will undergo a one-year imprisonment and four private persons-Srichand, Anna Wankhede, Mohan Lal and Sushil Kumar Sharma will undergo imprisonment for three years and three months for committing irregularities relating to a group housing society.

The CBI had registered a case on January 1, 2006 against Narayan Diwakar, IAS of 1986 batch, the then Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS), Delhi and others on the direction given by the Delhi High Court. It was alleged that during the year 2002-03, Narayan Diwakar, Yogi Raj, Niranjan Singh, Faiz Mohammed entered into a criminal conspiracy with Srichand, a private person and other unknown persons for reviving a defunct society-- SIEMENS Co-operative Group Housing Society. In pursuance to the conspiracy, the private accused had submitted forged and false documents and officials of RCS had recommended for allotment of land to the DDA, the CBI said.

After thorough investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet on November 30, 2006 against Narayan Diwakar, Yogi Raj, Niranjan Singh, Faiz Mohammed, all in the office of RCS Delhi; and Srichand, Anna Wankhede, Mohan Lal, Sushil Kumar Sharma and two private persons. During the course of trial, the CBI examined 52 witnesses. One private person expired during the trial.

The Special Judge CBI, Rohini Courts, held the eight accused guilty and acquitted one private person, the CBI said.

Gallantry awardees honoured
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 6
Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung today felicitated the gallantry awardees and Distinguished Service Medal winners on the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day at a function held at Raj Niwas in the presence of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, senior government, Army, Navy and Air Force officers.

The function was organised by Rajya Sainik Board at Raj Niwas to honour the gallantry awardees and the Distinguished Service Medal winners. In total, 18 awardees were presented the grant cheques. It included six Gallantry Awards and 12 Distinguished Service Medals.

On this occasion, the LG stated, "It is a great honour for us to felicitate these awardees. As a civilian we have no words to express gratitude to the Armed Forces for the outstanding sense of commitment with which they are performing their duties for our country and this nation has great respect for the Armed Forces."

The LG also released the brochure of Rajya Sainik Board.

He also paid tribute to the personnel who laid down their lives for protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the country.