Chandigarh, January 22
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked the victim’s father to plead for imposing serious charges against the accused in the trial court.

The orders came a day after the Chandigarh Police pressed less serious charges of death due to rash and negligent against the accused in the Audi-Tavera accident case.

The High Court also refused to hand over the probe to an independent agency. The court came out with the orders after the Chandigarh Police informed the court that a chargesheet had been filed against five persons, allegedly involved in causing death due to rash and negligent driving and destruction of evidence.

Admonished for carrying out “shoddy investigations”, the Chandigarh Police had earlier too found itself at the receiving end with the court censuring it for leaving the task of gathering evidence on the victims’ kin.

The police were also asked to clarify its stand on adding “culpable homicide not amounting to murder” under Section 304 of the IPC.

The query assumed significance as the section attracts a maximum imprisonment of 10 years, while death due to “rash and negligent driving” under Section 304-A of the IPC carries a maximum sentence of two years.

The directions came on a petition filed by Yash Pal Juneja, who lost his 21-year-old son in the accident. Two college students from Ghaziabad and the taxi driver had died on the spot when the Chevrolet Tavera they were travelling in was hit by an Audi Q7 that crossed over the divider and rammed into the taxi. The accident took place on July 24 around 1 am.

Initially, the Chandigarh Police had registered a case against the taxi driver who died in the accident. Later, a case was registered against the Audi driver.

Accusing the Chandigarh Police of carrying out a “tainted” investigation, Yash Pal Juneja wanted an independent agency to probe the case.

Chandigarh, January 22
Leaving no stone unturned to extend their charm across the city, four players of the Jaypee Punjab Warriors team visited SD College, Sector 32, here, today. The aim of their visit was to promote their team among the youngsters.

Punjab Warriors is scheduled to lock horns with Delhi Waveriders in the opening match of the 2014 Hockey India League at the newly-built hockey stadium of Mohali on January 25.

The players - Holland’s custodian Jaap Stockmann, Australian skipper Mark Knowles, Indian players Dharamveer Singh and SV Sunil - interacted with the students.

They were welcomed by the principal of the college, Bhushan Kumar Sharma. During their stay here, the players shared their experiences with the students and told them to come to the stadium and cheer the team.

Later, Stockmann danced to some bhangra beats amidst cheer and enthusiasm among the audience.

“We watch videos of previous matches and plan our strategies accordingly in order to deal with the pressure and challenges on the field,” said Dharamveer.

To enhance the spirit of competition among the youth, several games were also organised.

Chandigarh, January 22
The All-India Inter-University Archery Meet for Men and Women concluded amid verbal abuses and minor scuffle at Panjab University here today. The championship was hosted by the Directorate of Sports, PU.

At 10.30 am, players of the visiting teams alleged tampering in the actual scores by the host side to move them up in the medal tally.

According to the host team members, when the Director, Sports (additional charge), reached the ground to listen to the grievances, team members of one of the visiting sides pushed him, which led to a minor scuffle between the officials and the players.

Later, women players also accused students of the Physical Education Department, who were part of the officiating team, of misbehaviour. Being a host, officials and students need to keep themselves calm. But, they were seen indulging in arguments with them.

However, the local students alleged that the players of one of the visiting sides started the scuffle and tried to hit them with wooden and chrome arrows.

Panjab University security guards, after finding it difficult to control the situation, called up the policemen to control the situation.

Later, in the evening, three universities have submitted a written apology to the host team for the alleged misbehaviour.

Chandigarh, January 22
The local Amateur Karate Association will organise the 22nd Chandigarh State Karate Championship at CL Aggarwal DAV School, Sector 7, on January 27. The interested teams and players can confirm their entries with the organisers before January 26 (4 pm).

The events will be conducted in various weight categories in both the boys’ and girls’ events.

Chandigarh, January 22
The Chandigarh State Amateur Badminton Association will conduct veteran badminton championships from February 5 to 7 at the badminton hall of the Sports Complex in Sector 42, here, today.

The championships will be conducted in age groups of +35, +45 and +55 years.

The events will be organised in singles-doubles (men), singles-doubles (women) and mixed doubles categories.

The eligible veteran players, residing in Chandigarh, should send their entries along with an entry fee of Rs 500 for singles, Rs 1,000 for doubles and Rs 1,000 for mixed doubles on or before February 3 (5pm) to Panjab University Badminton Centre; badminton hall of Sports Complex, Sector 42, or Badminton Centre, Sector 23.