Panchkula, January 24
A local court today sentenced two persons to life imprisonment in a murder case. Kusum, a resident of Sector 56, Chandigarh, was strangled to death on April 17, 2013, by her husband Naresh and brother-in-law Raj Kumar at Rajiv Colony in Sector 16, Panchkula.

The duo did not like her association with her male friends. Police investigations revealed that the duo strangulated her with a dupatta. Victim's mother-in-law Nirmala, who was arrested for criminal conspiracy, was acquitted by the court.

The case had come up for hearing at the district sessions court today.

Kusum, who was a student of Class X, fell in love with Naresh, who was her senior. The two had eloped and tied the knot five months before her murder. Kusum had won a gold medal in the district-level cricket tournament. The couple had sought police protection from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Later, their parents accepted the couple.

On April 17, Naresh and Kusum had a heated argument over her association with the other boys. The petty fight took an ugly turn and Naresh with the help of his brother strangled her to death.

The in-laws admitted the girl to the General Hospital in Sector 6 saying she had committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan.

However, after the autopsy, doctors found that she was strangled to death. 

Chandigarh, January 24
In police custody for masterminding the murder of 11-year-old Pinki, Suneeta while being produced in a local court expressed the slightest of remorse and stated that she never desired to kill the child.

She was remanded in a three-day police custody. The police sated that she had to be confronted with the other accused and her interrogation would help them arrest the auto driver.

"When Bhagat told Suneeta that they should bring the girl back to her place, she asked him not to do so as it would land her in trouble. As she apprehended arrest, she wanted to get rid of the girl," said one of the investigating officers.

The police said a dispute with the girl's family and demand for money were the reasons behind the kidnapping of the girl. "But she had never thought that she would end up killing her," said the police.

The police arrested Suneeta, alias Billa, and Bhjagat Singh, alias Manga, for the murder yesterday. Another accused in the case, who is an auto driver, is yet to be arrested. On January 20, the police achieved a breakthrough in the case, with the arrest of two drug addicts, identified as Anirudh and Rajkumar. The two, who are in police custody, told the police that they were promised Rs 30,000 each by Bhagat Singh, alias Manga, who was entrusted with the task to kidnap Pinki.

The police said Suneeta had a dispute with Pinki's family. She planned to kidnap Pinki to take revenge and also asked for money. She used to be Pinki's neighbour. "The victim often visited her," said the police.

Chandigarh, January 24
Setting a new trend, a local court today reconciled the differences between an estranged young couple at the time of the hearing of the anticipatory bail plea of the accused.

The court was all sweetness and light with the husband and wife in their mid twenties.

The man is an engineer while his wife is a doctor. Following the complaint of his wife, Tejinder Pal Singh was booked in a dowry harassment case by the police last month.

The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge, Shalini Singh Nagpal, which was to decide the anticipatory bail plea today, sent the accused and his wife to the mediation centre, which yielded fruitful results.

The case of dowry harassment and criminal breach of trust under Sections 406, 498 A of the IPC was registered against Tejinder on December 26 last year at the Sector 34 police station. The police had also booked his parents in the case.

The court and the public prosecutor made the couple sit together for mediation. Well-educated, the couple have a two-year-old child. The mediation was of great help and the dispute was amicably settled.

"It's a rare instance that the mediation occurred at such an initial stage and bore results as well. Had the court not reunited the couple, there would have been multifarious litigations such as divorce, maintenance, restitution of conjugal rights, besides others. It is an exceptionally rare case that the court has mediated at the time of hearing of the bail application," said Public prosecutor Manu Kakkar.

"In such cases, one or both the parties suffer in the end. The case trial also results in mental agony and pain. Courts should encourage mediation more often," said advocate Rabindera Pandit.

Chandigarh, January 24
Panjab University has okayed a 10 per cent hike in the fee of first year courses from the next session.

The authorities will finalise the fee structure before the publishing of the prospectuses. Dean, University Instructions-cum-Registrar AK Bhandari said the fee of first year courses would be hiked by 10 per cent.

"Last year, students had objected to the hike in fee as the decision was taken in the mid session. The authorities had to roll back the hike."

Sources said the fee committee had made some changes in the fee structure and that these would be taken into consideration while doing the calculations.

A senior official said as the fee was not hiked in the last session, the university had to incur losses.

The official said: "If the fee is not increased, the authorities will have to look for some other revenue-generating source."

On June 29 last year, the Syndicate had given a green signal to the 10 per cent hike in fee of first year courses.

The fee of professional courses was to be increased by 20 per cent, but the decision had to be revoked following protests by student unions. 

building violations

Chandigarh, January 24
In a new twist to the Maharaja Faridkot case, a Delhi resident Gurpreet Singh has moved an application in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Nazar Singh today staking his claim in the property.

In the application, Gurpreet claimed that Amrit Kaur, the Maharaja's daughter, had entered into a deed of assignment with him in 1996 and as per the deed, he was entitled to 80 per cent of the property. Gurpreet stated that he should be made party in the case.

Considering the application, the court has issued a notice to Amrit Kaur before adjourning the hearing of the appeals challenging the court order making the Maharaja's daughters as legal heirs to his Rs 20,000-crore property, to February 15. Amrit Kaur is expected to file her reply on February 15.

It may be recalled that on July 25, 2013, Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Rajnish Kumar Sharma had nullified the will authorising the Trust as the caretaker of the Maharaja's property. After a legal battle of 21 years, the court had ruled in the favour of the daughters of Raja Sir Harinder Singh Brar. The Maharaja's daughters had moved the court way back in 1992 alleging that the will which entitled the Trust as its caretaker was forged.

The CJM had announced the verdict in the favour of Harinder Brar's eldest daughter, Amrit Kaur, who had challenged the will. The court ruled that the will was "forged and fabricated" making Amrit Kaur and her sister Deepinder Kaur heirs to the Maharaja's estate and assets worth Rs 20,000 crore under the Hindu Succession Act.

The road leading to the Chandigarh Airport from the Tribune Chowk is in a pitiable condition and is awaiting a VIP treatment. Potholes, waste material, unwanted grass and non-functional streetlights highlight the indifferent attitude of the Chandigarh Administration. It has been found that the road is re-carpeted and cleaned only when some VIP from the Centre visited the town for any function otherwise nothing is done to maintain the roads. The Administration should show some serious concern and should repair the roads whenever required.

Mohali, January 24
Sore over the failure of the administration to reconstruct the damaged bridge connecting Jagatpura and about 20 other villages to Mohali and Chandigarh, residents of the affected areas have decided to collect funds to build a temporary bridge.

After the closure of the old damaged bridge about four months ago, a makeshift bridge had been constructed over a nullah. The makeshift bridge collapses creating problems for residents. The administration said a new bridge would be constructed at a cost of Rs 3 crore. The work on the bridge is yet to start.

Residents have been collecting funds for a makeshift bridge. The estimated cost of the temporary bridge is Rs 10 lakh.

They have decided to take the help of a retired Army engineer to construct the bridge. A part of the construction material has been purchased. 

Mohali, January 24
Garbage has piled up in various parts of the town due to as the sanitation workers’ strike.

Former municipal councillor Kuljit Singh Bedi has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court demanding a solution to the 10-day-long problem.

The case will come up for hearing on January 27.

Bedi said the Chief Secretary, Punjab, Secretary and Director, Local Government, Deputy Commissioner, MC Commissioner and the Punjab Pollution Control Board had been made parties in the case.

Private sanitation workers, who collect garbage door to door, have struck work since January 15, opposing the contract system. The protesters are also demanding regularisation of their services.

Heaps of garbage can be seen lying alongside roads, green belts and vacant plots.

MC Additional Commissioner BD Singla said the civic body employees were unable to lift the garbage yesterday even under police protection. The protesting workers were not allowing the MC employees to clear the refuse. He said the protesters have assured the DC to resume work in a couple of days. 

Mohali, January 24
Over 3,000 Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) connections in Sector 71 have been snapped following the theft of three cables.

The theft took place around 3 am on the road separating Phases III B2 and V. This is the second theft in the past 15 days.

Nishan Singh, senior SDO, cable maintenance, BSNL, said the telecom had suffered a loss of Rs 2.5 lakh. He said that it would take three or four days to make the lines functional. 

Chandigarh, January 24
The Chandigarh railway station will soon get its first escalator. Electrical work is being carried out to make the escalator functional, being installed at platform number 2.

Officials said the escalator will be made functional for the public in the next fortnight.

Following this, work on the second escalator will commence at platform number 3.

The official said the deadline fixed for the commencement of the first escalator was missed as the contractor, who had been allotted the work, withdrew his services.

Sources said installation of the escalators at platform numbers 2 and 3 did not include all aspects sought by the officials, thereby delaying the work.

Meanwhile, orders for the posting of RK Dutta as the new station superintendent (SS) at Chandigarh have been issued by the Ambala Division.

Chandigarh, January 24
The Chandigarh Traffic Police has released the traffic restrictions/diversions to be imposed on January 26 in view of the Republic Day function to be held at the Parade Ground in Sector 17 here.

Panchkula, January 24
Students rehearsing for Republic Day function at the Parade Ground in Sector 9 here were found unaware of the significance of the day.

Nineteen of 20 students from different schools did not know the significance of the Republic Day. Children from Classes VII to IX came out with interesting answers.

While some said it was just a flag-hoisting day, others said India gained independence on this day.

However, Sarthak, a student of Class VII of a private school in Sector 9, came out with the right answer: “The Constitution of India came into force on this day,” he said.

Students from different schools of Panchkula had come to the Parade Ground to attend rehearsal for the R-Day function.

Two Class-VIII students of the Government School, Sector 6 here, said, “We don’t know. We just know that there is a competition being organised by the local administration where we have to perform better than other schools.”

A Class-VIII student of a private school said, “India got freedom on this day.” When asked then what was the significance of August 15, the student added, “We celebrate our country’s freedom on two days.”

Most respondents said January 26 was a flag-hoisting day.

Mohali, January 24
The Aam Aadami Party (AAP) is a movement but not a party, and movements don’t exist for long, said senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar.

The former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh said Anna Hazare started the movement for a better India, but it was hijacked by Arvind Kejriwal. The country has seen that AAP cannot run the government as its members have no experience to do so.

Shanta Kumar halted in Mohali on his way to Jhanjheri village to collect a farmer’s tool for the “Statue of Unity” which would be constructed near Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat.

Addressing a gathering, Shanta Kumar Sardar Patel united 585 different princely states to form a unified India.

He said the BJP would seek votes for a new progressive India under the leadership of Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha elections.

Chandigarh, January 24
Earlier, the common man was unaware about the functioning of the political parties. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has emerged as a ray of hope for us. In the wake of AAP coming to power in Delhi, people have become aware of their rights and duties of the government towards them. I’m quite hopeful that the party will change the country’s current political scenario.

—Bhushan Rohta Baghwala, Gandhian Studies, PU

The youth is dissatisfied with the current policies of the government and their implementation by the ruling party. The Aam Aadmi Party is a brainstorming phase for people. If people want their demands met, they have to raise issues time and again.

—Aman Thakur, Department of Geology, Panjab University

There is no future of the Aam Aadmi Party at the national level. They have failed to meet the expectations of people. Though AAP has become a significant player in the urban areas, it will not be able to attract rural voters. The party and its working strategies have already been exposed.

—Vikramjeet Middukhera, MA defence, PU

AAP can go a long way only if it sticks to the promises it made and strategies it followed in the past when it was not in power. For the country’s youth, they have become a trend-setter. They have enlightened the masses to fight for their rights and not wait for others to act. This has has a positive impact on people.

—Sachin Kanwar, Gandhian Studies, Panjab University

It’s too early to decide about the future of AAP. Though it has come to power in Delhi, the party is yet to prove its mettle. There is no doubt that AAP has given a fair choice to people to choose a corruption-free candidate, but there is hardly any check on the candidates that join the party fold. Only time will tell about the party’s future.

—Raminder Singh, Economics Department, Panjab University

Chandigarh, january 24
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) today organised a rally at Dhanas to highlight the alleged false promises made by the Congress.

Flaying the Centre’s policies, BSP general secretary, Narendra Kashyap, “Corruption has stopped development in the country and eventually, increasing inflation rapidly. If the BSP comes to power at the Centre, it will prove to be of a great help in dealing with problems concerning people.” BSP Councillor Jannat Jahaan said, “I have fought for development of the area in my jurisdiction on several occasions. We will soon ensure availability of basic amenities to residents of Hallo Majra and Deep Complex.” — TNS

Chandigarh, January 24
Finally waking up to the inconvenience faced by patients, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) is setting up sheds to house the moisture-laden trolleys and wheelchairs lying outside the emergency ward. However, the deplorable condition of these sheds speaks volumes for itself.

The pillars — installed to carry the asbestos or other fibre sheets — are too high to block the rain as well as mist in the winters.

Also, these sheds are likely to remain open from three sides, reflecting the lackadaisical planning of the authorities.

The woes of patients are aggravated when they are made to lie down on iron trolleys without cushions or bedding.

Sample this: An 80-year-old patient suffering from urology-related problem rushes to the PGIMER.

As his son helps him alight from the ambulance, the elderly patient is forced to lie down on a moisture-laden trolley.

The trolleys are usually kept in the open and are exposed to weather changes. In winters, moisture settles down on the trolleys.

Chandigarh Tribune has several times highlighted the inconvenience faced by patients in this regard.

The absence of a designated spot to house trolleys and wheelchairs, particularly outside the emergency unit, has compounded the woes of patients.

Sources said though the PGIMER had taken note of the problem, action is yet to be taken to address the issue.

Chandigarh, January 24
Already facing an acute shortage of public as well as additional public prosecutors, the opening of 10 new courts in the district courts complex is less likely to help in the effective dispensation of justice.

There are only seven additional public prosecutors (APP), which will cater to 20 Judicial Magistrates (JMIC).

At present, these seven APPs are ‘overburdened’ as they cater to 14 JMICs. In the present scenario, at least 11 ADAs and two DDAs are required in the district courts.

Repeated reminders by the court authorities to the Legal Remembrance Cell, Chandigarh Administration, have fallen on deaf ears as even though new judges are expected to join, no new posts have been created for APPs.

“The Administration seems to be in a deep slumber. The very purpose of getting new courts fails if there is shortage of staff as well as public prosecutors,” said a court official.

Sources said there has been no fresh appointment of ADA after 2002. Three ADAs were appointed that, too, when three of them were promoted.

“As there is already a shortage, new posts need to be created,” said the court sources.

Besides, the district court authorities informed that there was shortage of 20 posts for the upcoming 10 new courts and demanded sanctioning of the same.

Against the requirement of two stenographers in each court, the Centre has sanctioned only one stenographer each for the 10 courts.

While there is requirement of two ahlmads in each court, only one ahlmad has been sanctioned.

“The new courts will be short of 10 stenographers and 10 ahlmads,” added the sources.

A court official said besides putting an increased burden, the shortage was also hampering speedy delivery of justice.

Chandigarh, January 24
For Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC), the summer of 2013 is yet to arrive.

Sounds strange! But in a classic case, the MC, in its House meeting held on Thursday, approved the rough estimate for providing summer as well as winter uniforms to the firemen.

The estimates pertained to the uniforms for summer of 2013-14 and 2014-15 and for winter of 2013-15. The winter uniforms are purchased once in two years.

A fireman, on the condition of anonymity, revealed that summer uniforms were to be provided before October 31 and the authorities concerned were still discussing the estimates.

Another fireman said the authorities concerned were least bothered about the welfare of the staff of the Fire and Emergency services, adding: “By the time the tenders will be floated and the bids invited, the next summer will set in.”

Interestingly, the item on the agenda tabled in the MC meeting was not even discussed and was passed in less then a minute with nobody caring about the delay in the process of purchasing uniforms and fire equipment.

MC additional commissioner, Sunil Bhatia, who is also the Chief Fire Officer, stated that they followed a new procedure for allotting tenders, which took time. “The procedure adopted earlier by the MC was not appropriate. We had to streamline the procedure keeping future requirements in mind and it takes time,” Bhatia said.

Sources said it was interesting to note that even uniforms pertaining to the year 2011-12 were yet to reach the firemen.

However, firemen have a reason to cheer about. They will be provided with uniforms of better quality. The officers and staff of the Fire and Emergency Services will be getting uniforms of famous brands. They will be getting uniforms made of Reid and Taylor’s fabric besides Jockey vests, Lomani socks and Hush Puppies shoes.

Dera Bassi, January 24
The Dera Bassi bus stand has nothing in the name of amenities. Facilities such as drinking water, toilets and seating arrangements elude the bus stand. Commuters have to go through a harrowing time while waiting for a bus. The near-collapsing roof of the bus can prove fatal. Residents said they had taken up the issue with the authorities many a time, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

In the absence of any check, taxi operators park vehicles at the bust stand.

Most of the buses halt on the National Highway, putting the passengers’ life at risk, besides compounding the traffic problem. Executive officer Rajesh Sharma said the roof would be repaired and toilets would be cleaned soon. “There are some obstacles in the construction of the new bus stand,” he added. 

Panchkula, January 24
District and Sessions Judge RK Sondhi inaugurated a legal aid clinic at Bir Ghaggar village here today. This is the 33rd legal aid clinic at Panchkula district.

Legal aid clinics are being opened across the country under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority, Supreme Court of India.

The villagers were made aware of their legal rights and duties. Special lectures were also delivered about the rights of senior citizens.

Sunil Chauhan, CJM-cum-secretary, District Legal Services Authority, said legal aid clinics were intended to provide legal relief easily accessible to the poor and weaker sections of society.

“These clinics are almost on the lines of primary health centres where a doctor and other auxiliary medical staff provide basic health care to the people situated in villages affected with poverty and social squalor. Like the doctors rendering health services to the people of the locality in the primary health centre, a lawyer manning the legal aid clinic provides legal services to the people,” said Chauhan.

Legal aid clinics have to be manned by paralegal volunteers selected by the Legal Services Authorities and lawyers with a sense of commitment, sensibility and sensitiveness to the problems of the common people.

“The lawyer manning the legal aid clinic will also attempt to resolve the disputes of the people in the locality, preventing the disputes from maturing into litigation,” said panel advocate Manbir Singh Rathi.

Rajesh Garg, Additional District Judge, RK Yadav CBI Judge, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary of the DLSA, Sunil Chauhan and panel lawyers were also present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, January 24
The UT Social Welfare Department today celebrated National Girl Child Day. The Punjabi Sabhayacharik Theatre Group staged a play, “Uddan”, on the importance of educating girl child at the Bal Bhawan here.

UT Home Secretary Anil Kumar was the chief guest on the occasion. He honoured the winners of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games held in Australia recently.

Rajesh Jogpal, director of the Social Welfare Department, UT, briefed about the activities organised by the department and its units in the recent past.

He said: “The girl child faces numerous challenges and the department is committed to focus attention on adolescent girls in overcoming the challenges faced during the most eventful periods of mental, emotional and psychological development”.

He said it was crucial for adolescents to achieve full potential of their individual capacities in a safe and enabling environment.

Chandigarh, January 24
The 14th Annual Management Fest- Panache 2014 commenced today at GGDSD College, Sector 32. The fest is organised by the BBA club of the college.

An E-portal of the college, which will provide students and the staff a better learning and teaching environment in ICT enabled era, was also inaugurated on the occasion.

Students from 15 colleges in and around the city vied for top positions in various events based on the theme ‘Tribute to management expertise in Indian cinema’ and other pertinent topics. The fest includes contests such as ad-mad, mock encounter, mute commentary, just a minute, GK quiz, choreography competition and ‘Mr and Ms Panache’.

The chief guest on the occasion was UT director Higher Education Sandeep Hans while AK Taneja, general manager, was the guest of honour.

Hans emphasised on the need for proper career planning by students. He said the students should maintain a balance between academics and extra-curricular activities.

Principal Dr Bhushan Kumar Sharma said such events help hone administrative skills of the students and inculcate team spirit in them.

Mohali, January 24
An exhibition on ‘human values and professional ethics’, was organised by the Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology on its campus here today.

Nearly 80 students exhibited their skills using models, charts and other display tools to focus on the theme of ‘basic human aspirations’.

Various aspects were covered, including happiness, prosperity, stress, success, basic aim of life, food drive, women working from home, visits to the poor and needy and life events of a girl child and family.