Chandigarh, December 12
Former UT chief engineer KK Jerath was today acquitted by a local court in a 15-year-old corruption case.

Eight others were acquitted along with him. Last month, the local court had acquitted Jerath in a case involving misuse of official vehicle.

As per allegations of the prosecution, KK Jerath during his tenure with the UT Administration as the Chief Engineer from 1995 to 1997, allotted several contracts related to cable networking and PBC pipes of Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, to his favourite contractors that resulted in losses to the tune of Rs 35 lakh.

Terminder Singh, counsel for KK Jerath, said 36 witnesses were examined during the case but the prosecution could not prove the charges against the accused, following which the local court acquitted him.

The others who were acquitted included contractor Yashpal Saggi, Sadhu Singh, Paramjeet, Jagdish Mittar and others

Jerath was booked by the vigilance wing of the UT police in six cases in 1998. He has been acquitted in four cases. The CBI court in 2009, however, sentenced him to a three-year imprisonment in an asset misappropriation case.

Chandigarh, December 12
The framing of charges against former Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge Nirmal Yadav, accused in cash-at-judge's door scam, and other accused in the case was further put off for nearly five weeks.

In the hearing of the case today, the special CBI Judge Vimal Kumar adjourned the case till January 18 after the learned counsel of the accused Justice (retd) Yadav sought more time from him to pursue her SLP at Supreme Court against a recent order of Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had refused to stay the trial in this five-year-old corruption case. It was in the last hearing of the case on November 26 that the special judge had adjourned this case till today to enable Justice Yadav to appeal against the HC order in the SC.

The Justice Yadav’s counsel today informed the CBI court that Justice Yadav had filed her SLP against a recent HC order on last December 9 but the matter was yet not come for hearing. Citing coming winter vacations in the SC, her sought over four weeks time. The local CBI court also permitted another accused in the case Ravinder Singh Basin to go abroad on a business trip. Another important issue relating to Section 294 of the CrPC cropped during the course of hearing today. The judge Vimal kumar asked Justice Yadav?s counsel as to why he should not act under that section and asked the accused to admit or deny the documents listed by the CBI in the charge sheet.

However, special public prosecutor Anupam Gupta strongly asserted that he would not like to invoke Section 294 of the CrPC. Gupta maintained that in his opinion, the section was in conflict with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution under Articles 20 and 21. He said these articles were based upon 500 years of English common law and any violation of them would result in a “Talibani” system of justice.

Panchkula, December 12
The Panchkula police have arrested a fraudster and a fake doctor, Sandeep Sharma. Sharma was allegedly involved in a multi-crore scam and also ran a hospital in Panchkula without holdding a professional degree.

Sharma was brought on a production warrant from Delhi Police, here today. He was produced before the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class Amit Verma, who sent him to a judicial custody.

Sharma was arrested by Delhi police from Jungpura, a month back. The CBI court here has declared Sharma as a proclaimed offender in connection with a multi-crore bank scam. The scam allegedly involved him and several other bank officials.

The Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT), Chandigarh, had also issued summons against Sharma, who ran Shubham Hospital in the town. The DRT had issued summons on the petition filed by the Corporation bank. Notably, Sharma had taken loans of Rs 2 crore from the Punjab National Bank, Sector 16, Rs 1 crore from the Bank of India, Sector 16, Rs 1 crore from the Punjab and Sind Bank, Rs 40 lakh from Oriental Bank, Mani Majra, and Rs 1 crore from Corporation Bank, using fake certificates and documents.

Sharma was then booked by the Panchkula police in January 2008 in a cheating case. The case was later shifted to the state crime bureau after several frauds committed by him were exposed.

On January 30, 2008, following a complaint by the Panchkula Civil Surgeon, the local police sealed Shubham Hospital in Sector 20, Panchkula. It was alleged that Sharma had been running the hospital posing as an ophthalmologist, without a professional degree. In February 2009, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Sharma and some bank officials and in December 2009, a special CBI court framed the charges..

Mohali, December 12
On the complaint of a woman colleague, the local police have registered a case against five employees of a company. The five accused have been booked on the charges of outraging modesty, teasing and criminal intimidation.

The accused have been identified as Vishal Kalra, Deepankar, Sushant, Abhinesh Tewari and Vishal Zakhmi.

In her complaint, the victim, a resident of Phase V, alleged that she was being harassed by her fellow colleagues for the last four to five months.

The victim alleged that she had complained to the additional general manager of the company regarding the matter, but the additional general manager too supported the miscreants, and issued a threat to her life.

“On the complaint of the woman, we have registered a case under Sections 354-A, 294, 506, 509 and 34 of the IPC at the Phase 1 police station,” said an official from the police station.

Further investigations are on in the matter, said the police.

Chandigarh, December 12
Two women were targeted by snatchers in different parts of of the city on Wednesday evening. Suparna Goyal, a resident of Sector 38, reported to the police that motorcycle-borne youths sped away after snatching her purse containing Rs 1,500 and two mobile phones near Sector 38.

A case has been registered at the Sector 39 police station.

Usha Rani, a resident of Gilco Valley in Kharar, alleged that motorcycle-borne youths snatched her purse containing Rs 3,000, a ring, mobile and important documents.

The incident took place near Dhanas bridge. A case has been registered at the Sector 11 police station.

Chandigarh, December 12
The cricket team of St John’s School, Sector 26, defeated Chitkara International School by 110-runs, in a match of Edmund Rice Cricket Championship for boys (U-14), being held here today. Batting first, the winning side posted 174-runs in the allotted slot of 20 overs.

Angad Bhatiya scored a quick fire half century off 27 balls while Aadil Preet contributed 27 off 15 balls. For bowling side, Ritik claimed 2 for 30.

In the reply, the Chitkara side bundled out on a mere total of 60-runs in 14 overs with Dalip scoring 10 off 20. For St. John’s, Spandan claimed 4 for 9 and Ratish bagged 2 for 10.

In a match of boys (U-17) category, the team of Chandigarh Baptist School beat Delhi Public School by 6 wickets.

Batting first, the DPS side bundled out for 119-runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs. Nahar (36 off 42) and Vaibhav (23 off 29) remain the main scorers for the team while bowlers Karanveer and Aayush claimed three wickets each.

In reply, the Baptist School achieved the target with Nikhil Verma (45 off 42) and Karanveer (27 off 29) scoring the major share. For bowling side, Suvansh claimed 2 for 23.

Chandigarh, December 12
Saupin’s School, Sector 32, will face the hosts St Kabir School, Sector 26, in the final of St Kabir Football Trophy for boys (U-12), to be held tomorrow at football grounds of St Kabir School, here today.

In the semi-finals, played today, the host side of St Kabir School managed to register a marginal win over St. John’s School, Sector 26. Both the team’s failed to score in their stipulated time. But St Kabir side was awarded with a penalty-kick, in the starting minutes of the match. Although the coaching staff of the St John’s team opposed the decision but the objection was overruled. Arjit, a left footer striker, failed to played up to his potential and failed to convert an awarded foul. In the 5th minute, he was checked on wrong foot by Yash of St John’s and the referee awarded the penalty kick in favour of the hosts. Arjit with no hesitation posted the first goal. In the second match, the team of Strawberry Fields School, Sector 26, tasted defeat against Saupin’s School, Sector 32, 2-0. Strikers Shaurya and Sujal posted a goal. Shaurya struck the first goal in the 9th minute while Sujal doubles the lead in the 26th minute.

Chandigarh, December 12
A fine ton by skipper Akul Partap Pandove and Abhishek Sharma helped the Punjab side to blank Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) team, in the match of Vijay Merchant Trophy for boys (U-16) being held here today. Punjab side registered a thumping 253 runs victory and attained 7 points including a bonus point.

After winning the toss and putting JKCA to bat first, Punjab’s bowlers bowled out their rivals on a mere total of 97-runs. In their first innings, the Punjab side amassed 508 for 8 in 102 overs. In their 2nd innings, the JKCA side bundled out for 158-runs in 62.3 overs.