Chandigarh, December 21
Extensions granted to Sumit Kaur as the UT Chief Architect have come under the Punjab and Haryana High Court scanner.

Taking up a petition against the extensions, the High Court today issued a notice to the Chandigarh Administration.

Sumit Kaur is on deputation from Punjab since October 1, 2008, and has been getting extensions from the Chandigarh Administration. As a result, she continues to hold the post till date.

In his petition, Rajbir Singh Attri also sought directions to the Administration and other respondents to carry out fresh appointment to the post of UT Chief Architect, Chandigarh, through a high-level selection committee.

Taking up the matter, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Augustine George Masih Counter granted three week’s time for the filing of a counter affidavit and for placing on record the relevant rules.

ZIRAKPUR, DECEMBER 21
Two persons were killed and 8 injured in a road accident on the Zirakpur-Rajpura road near Banur today morning.

The incident occurred near Bassiishekhan when a PRTC bus that was going from Chandigarh to Patiala collided with a four-wheeler that was coming from the opposite side.

The deceased have been identified as 25-year-old Hanana and Mohammad Sadiq, both hailing from Bihar. All the injured have been admitted to GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh, for treatment.

In another incident, a Punjab police employee was killed near Banur when the motorcycle on which he was travelling was hit by a truck.

The deceased has been identified as Gurmail Singh, a resident of Mohikhurd, who was employed in Chandigarh. The police have registered a case against the truck driver.

Mohali, December 21
On the complaint of Mohali’s chief judicial magistrate Mohan Lal Garg, the Mohali Police have registered a case against three accused for not attending the court proceedings in the cases against them.

Navin Pal Singh Lehal, SHO, Mataur Police Station, said two different cases have been registered against Ekant Kumar, Vishal and Pankaj under Sections 174 A of the IPC in this regard.

“Ekant Kumar has been facing a trial in the cheating and criminal conspiracy case. He was not attending the court’s proceedings for the past few days. Similarly, Vishal and Pankaj, who have also been booked in the cheating case, were evading their presence in the court,” said the SHO. — TNS

Panchkula, December 21
A woman was allegedly poisoned by her husband and in-laws by giving naphthalene balls. The victim, identified as Pinky, a resident of Sector 15, was immediately rushed to general hospital Sector 6, Panchkula.

The local police reached the spot and a case under Section 328 (poisoning) has been registered against her husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law at the Sector 14 police station.

SHO, Sector 14 police station, Inspector Dalip Kumar, said it was after recording the statements of the victim that they have registered a case.

“The victim in her complaint said that both the husband-wife duo had a heated argument over an issue following which the in-laws intervened and thrashed her badly. Then her husband took a naphthalene ball, crushed it and forcibly gave her with water,” said Kumar.

The police said after the victim cried for help, a neighbourer helped her and rushed her to the hospital. Her condition was said to be stable now. The victim has a son and her parents reached the hospital after they were informed.

Mohali, December 21
Champion rallyists Anil Wadia, Harkaran Singh, Amartej Buwal, Harvinder Bhola, among others qualified for the finals on the second day of the 5th edition of OYA Autocross, Motocross and Offroad Challenge held here today on the GMADA ground opposite the PUDA office, in Phase VIII, Mohali.

Among bikers, the qualifiers for the final round of the 5th OYA Motocross Challenge were Chandigarh’s star biker Mohit Verma, Baljit Singh, Deepak Madan, Sajanpreet Singh, Jess David and others.

The final rounds of the OYA Autocross, Motocross and Offroad Challenge will be held tomorrow from 9 am.

The formal inauguration of the final rounds will be done by SSP Mohali Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti at 11.45 am.

After the SSP inaugurates the event, A2B Stunt Riders will put up a stunt show at the venue. After the conclusion of the event, the SSP will give away the prizes to winners.

The qualifying rounds of the OYA Autocross, Motocross and Offroad Challenge began with about 160 competitors. There was a huge rush of spectators at the ground as the competitors zoomed their bikes and four-wheelers on the track in the qualifying rounds today.

Sandeep Bansal, president, Old Yadvindrians Association (OYA), said the event had a heavy rush of entries. There were 70 standard and 10 premium spots for the Motocross (bikers category). All were filled.

Founder TCAS Gulpreet Aulakh said the OYA Autocross, Motocross and Offroad Challenge had emerged as a mega motorsport carnival in the region.

The OYA and the Team Chandigarh Adventure Sports (TCAS) are organising the event.

Chandigarh, December 21
Amarjeet Brara maintained his top billing as he carded the lowest gross score of the day, a three-over 75, in the second round of the ninth Chandigarh Golf Tour played at the par-72 SEPTA Greens in Chandimandir today.

Brara, who bogeyed the second hole, birdied the fourth but dropped another stroke on the seventh to make the turn at over-over-par. His back nine consisted of just two bogeys, on the 11th and 12th holes, and seven pars. He, thus, continues to lead the competition for the Chandigarh Golf Tourism trophy with a 36-hole total of a nine-over 153. Bill Aulakh, who carded a seven-over 79, maintained second place overall with his total of 13-over 157.

Sikander S Kaleka carded a four-over 76 -- the second-lowest round of the day -- and won the second prize in the 0-14 gross category for Day Two. Dalminder Minhas leads the 0-14 nett category after carding a nett 69 today and Neil Singh Chahal was placed second with a 72.

Surjit S Balaggan was placed first in the 15-24 category gross prize with a round of 75 while Sukhbir S Gill was second at 76. Sukhwinder Gill had a good outing and leads the 15-24 nett category after he returned a score of nett 62 in the second round. Amarjit S Dhaliwal was second with a nett score of 70.

Amongst the invitees, Vivek Krishan won the gross prize on the second day with a 74 while Sandep Sandhu finished second with a 76. Gaurav Talwar won the nett prize with a nett 64 and RPS Rai was second after carding a 71.

Sandeep Singh Grewal hit the longest drive, to 300 yards, and Arjan Singh was the most accurate, hitting his ball to just four feet and two inches to walk away with the prize for the nearest to the pin.

The third and final round of the event will be held at the Panchkula Golf Course tomorrow. CGA president CSR Reddy, who conceptualised this event, was happy with the success of the event.

Chandigarh, December 21
Saupin’s-32 lifted the Premier Interstate Under-15 Football Tournament titleat St Soldier School, Sector 28, here.

The winning team defeated the Pride Sports Club, Delhi, 5-3 in the penalty shootout. Both teams were at the same score at the end of the stipulated time. As the match was pushed for penalty shootout, Saupin’s-32 did not leave any stone unturned to win the title. The team escalated towards victory with the help of penalty shootouts scored by Aryaman, Kanwar, Simar, Jashan and Prateek, wining the match 5-3 score in the end. — TNS