Chandigarh, February 4
Accepting the application of an accused in a corruption case, the CBI court today exempted Income Tax officer's mother's plea seeking permanent exemption from court appearance during the trial. Kanta Jain, mother of Rakesh Jain, who is a co-accused, had moved the application on account of her illness which was accepted today. She stated that she was suffering from cancer.

The CBI had caught Income Tax officer Rakesh Jain taking a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a real estate agent on February 6, 2013. Later, his mother was also booked in the case.

Jain was caught taking the bribe from Ashok Arora, a real estate businessman, at his house in Sector 22 on February 6. Jain had demanded the bribe to settle Income Tax notices issued to him. Two gold bricks and a cash of Rs 24 lakh was also recovered from his residence.

Later, a scrutiny of his bank lockers had revealed another haul of gold as two more gold bricks were recovered from the bank lockers. Jain had initially demanded Rs 3.5 lakh as bribe and the deal was settled for Rs 2.5 lakh. Arora had paid him the first instalment of Rs 50,000 when the CBI laid a trap and arrested the accused.

The bribe amount of Rs 50,000 was recovered from the undergarments of Kanta Jain. The CBI had later registered a case of disproportionate assets against Rakesh Jain as valuables amounting to Rs 1.56 crore had been recovered from his possession.

Mohali, February 4
A local court today acquitted a person accused of raping a minor girl after the victim and her father, the complainant, turned hostile.

The court of Mohali Additional District and Sessions Judge acquitted Vijay Kumar, who was arrested on the charge of raping a Class VIII student, a resident of Naya Gaon.

On the complaint of the victim's father, Ram Dutt, a case under Sections 363, 366A, 376 and 506 of the IPC was registered on September 1, 2013, at Naya Gaon police station.

Ram Dutt had alleged that Vijay used to harass his daughter and on the fateful day, he forcibly made her sit on his bike and took her to a vacant plot and committed the crime. Both the victim and her father turned hostile in the court later — TNS

Chandigarh, February 4
The Directorate of Sports, Panjab University, and the Engineering Department have asked the company concerned to finish the construction work of the indoor 10-m shooting range by February 7.

The project was expected to be completed by 2012. The shooting range will host the All-India Inter-University Shooting Championship for Men and Women from February 11.

The Directorate of Sports is planning to organise a function to inaugurate the shooting range and a sports hostel for girls on February 7.

In 2011, the construction work was allotted to REMC Construction Company and it was expected to be completed by 2012. However, due to delay in the completion of the work, the company was told to pay the fine as per the contract. The dream project of the university was in the headlines when the use of substandard quality of material (bricks) was reported in these columns.

The Rs 1-crore soundproof shooting range (40x20 m) was in a neglected state since long. After the interference of officials on January 25, the workers pulled up their socks and started the work in full swing.

“The construction work is in full swing and a major share of the work will get over in a day or so. The company has been fined as per the contract and further delay may attract another penalty. The shooting range will be handed over to the Directorate of Sports, Panjab University, at the earliest,” said RK Rai, executive engineer, Panjab University Engineering Department.

A visit to the site revealed that the targets are yet to be installed at the venue, whereas other civic works are on the verge of completion.

“The work has started after receiving the payment. The authorities have asked us to hand over the shooting range till February 7 so that the teams can practice,” said a supervisor.

However, the eleventh hour preparation could cause a problem. World-class shooters from different universities are expected to participate in this championship.

“The organisers should approve the range with a test report. The workers are doing the work under tremendous pressure and a small mistake can cause a problem during the competition. The much-awaited dream project of the international-level shooting range should meet the standards,” said a local shooter.

Chandigarh, February 4
Top seed CLTA trainee Rishabh Sharda overpowered fourth seed Shourya Piplani of Delhi to win the final of the boys’ (U-14) category during the CLTA Talent Hunt Series Tennis Tournament for Boys and Girls (U-14).

The tournament was held at the CLTA courts, Sector 10, here today.

In the final of the boys’ (U-14) category, Rishab defeated his opponent by 6-1 and 6-0.

Earlier in the semi-finals, Rishab defeated Aishwaray Goel by 6-1 and 6-0, while Shourya defeated CHART trainee Naresh Badgujar by 6-3 and 6-1.

In the final of the girls’ (U-14) category, Ashpreet K Bajwa defeated Khushbeen Kaur by 6-2 and 7-5.

Earlier, in the semi-finals, Khushbeen Kaur upset top seed Harleen Kaur, whereas Ashpreet Kaur Bajwa defeated Hansika by 6-3 and 6-3.

Results

Boys’ (U-14) singles (final): Rishabh Sharda bt Shourya Piplani 6-1, 6-0; girls’ (U-14) singles (finals): Ashpreet K Bajwa bt Khushbeen Kaur 6-2, 7-5; boys’ (U-14) singles (Semi Finals): Rishabh Sharda bt Aishwaray Goel 6-0, 6-1; Shourya Piplani bt Naresh Badgujar 6-3, 6-1; girls’ (U-14) singles (semi-finals): Ashpreet K Bajwa bt Hansika 6-3, 6-3; Khushbeen Kaur bt Harleen Kaur 7-5, 6-1.

Chandigarh, February 4
The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) will conduct the FC Mittal Cricket Trophy Tournament across the region from February 8.

The first match of the tournament will be played between Patiala and Amritsar at Dhruve Pandove Stadium, Patiala, while Ludhiana and Mohali will face each other at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, Chandigarh. On the same day, the Chandigarh cricket team will cross swords with Jalandhar at Ropar Cricket Stadium.

The trophy is named after FC Mittal, former treasurer of the Punjab Cricket Association. The tournament will conclude on February 14.

Shushil Kapoor, spokesperson for the PCA, said all matches would be played at Dhruv Pandove Stadium, Patiala; Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, Chandigarh; Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali; and Ropar Cricket Stadium.

He said during the championship, members of the senior selection committee would select the best players. These players would further represent Punjab in the one-day inter-state tournament for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The tournament will begin in the third week of February in Delhi.

The schedule

February 8: Patiala vs Amritsar at Dhruve Pandove Stadium, Patiala; Ludhiana vs Mohali at GMSS, Sector 26, Chandigarh; and Chandigarh vs Jalandhar at Ropar Cricket Stadium.

February 9: Patiala vs Jalandhar at Dhruv Pandove Stadium, Patiala; Chandigarh vs Ludhiana at GMSSS, Sector 26, Chandigarh; and Amritsar vs Mohali at PCA Stadium, Mohali.

February 10: Patiala vs Mohali at Dhruv Pandove Stadium, Patiala; Chandigarh vs Amritsar at PCA Stadium, Mohali; and Ludhiana vs Jalandhar at GMSSS-26, Chandigarh.

February 12: Patiala vs Chandigarh at Dhruv Pandove Stadium, Patiala; Ludhiana vs Amritsar at PCA Stadium, Mohali; and Jalandhar vs Mohali at GMSSS-26, Chandigarh.

February 14: Patiala vs Ludhiana at Dhruv Pandove Stadium, Patiala; Chandigarh vs Mohali at PCA Stadium, Mohali; and Jalandhar vs Amritsar at GMSSS-26, Chandigarh.

Chandigarh, February 4
The kabaddi team of the Department of Evening Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, lifted the title of the Panjab University Inter-College Kabaddi Punjab Style Tournament of Men (C-Division) for Evening and Education Colleges.

The tournament concluded at the grounds of the Panjab University campus here today.

In the final of the championship, the local team defeated the LLRM College of Education, Dhudike, (Moga) by 27-17.

Earlier, in the final-four stage, the Department of Evening Studies, Panjab University, defeated the Babe Ke College of Education, Daudhar, by 23-18. In other match, the LLRM College of Education, Dhudike, trounced the DAV College of Education, Abohar, by 37-26.

Results

GHG Khalsa College of Education, Gurusar Sadhar, beat Guru Ram Dass BEd College, Jalalabad, by 32-25; Satyam College of Education, Moga, beat DM College of Education, Moga, by 39-10; Babe Ke College of Education, Daudhar, beat GHG Khalsa College of Education, Gurusar Sadhar, by 28-16; LLRM College of Education, Dhudike, beat Satyam College of Education, Moga, by 27-25.

Chandigarh, February 4
Tavleen Batra carded a four over par 76 to lead the 20th Punjab Open Ladies Golf Championship, which began at the Chandigarh Golf Course today.

Eighteen-year-old Tavleen, who recently got selected to represent India in the Faldo Series Grand Final Tournament to be held at Mission Hills in March, is quite happy with her game.

Eleven-year-old Vasundra Thiara carded a seven over par 79 to trail the leader by three strokes, while Swatanter Ratia, a contender for the super seniors, carded an 82.

Ratia, who played six stokes under her handicap, leads in the silver and senior categories, while Tina Jain leads the bronze division after carding a 99 in the first round. Meanwhile, Vasundra comfortably leads the junior and sub junior categories.

Boasting past champions like Simi Mehra and Nonita Lal, the stroke play event will conclude tomorrow, followed by a friendly competition in the third and the final round.

Chandigarh, February 4
The UT Sports Department has decided to cancel the State Women’s Sports Festival-2014 as a few entries were received for the much-awaited tournament.

The festival was expected to be held from February 10 to February 13 at various stadiums of Chandigarh.

Schools showed less interest in sending confirmation entries for the tournament because of practical examinations of senior classes, said officials of the Sports Department.

“We are not receiving entries from the schools due to practical examinations. We are left with no other option but to cancel the tournament. The examinations will go on till March and we cannot hold the tournament till then,” said a spokesperson for the Sports Department.

The state women competition was expected to be conducted in various events, including athletics, badminton, basketball, gymnastics, handball, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho, lawn tennis, table tennis and volleyball, at the sports complexes of Sectors 7, 46 and 42. The winning side was expected to get cash prizes. The officials were also planning for a grand opening ceremony at the Sports Complex of Sector 7.

“We were expecting a good participation in the tournament. The same event was organised three years ago and it was a hit among the localities. This time, the authorities have chosen wrong dates to conduct the tournament,” said a coach.