BDS student ends her life in hostel room
Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, February 15
A girl student of the Gian Sagar Medical College, Banur, ended her life by hanging herself from the ceiling fan in her hostel room. The deceased has been identified as Anju Bala, a student of BDS IInd year. She belonged to Nawan Sankhian village of Jalandhar district and was residing in the college hostel for the last two years. During vacations, she used to visit her relatives in Kukar village of Jalandhar district as her parents lived in the USA.

The reason for her taking the extreme step is yet to be ascertained.

The police have initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC following a statement by the deceased's uncle.

The body was handed over to her relatives after post-mortem examination.

Cops accused of biased probe
Tribune News Service

Kharar, February 15
The working of the local police came under the scanner when they registered a case against unidentified persons in an accident case even as the police apparently knew about the details of the accused. “The accused, both youngsters belong to rich families and the police are trying to save them for obvious reasons,” said a local resident on the condition of anonymity.

In the accident, which had taken place on February 12, an elderly pedestrian Vinod Kumar (70) had lost his life following a hit by Harley Davidson motorbike.

“The two youngsters, who were riding the motorbike also got injured in the accident and had been admitted in the hospital,” said the resident.

He added that both the youngsters are residents of Kharar. “One is a son of jeweller and other is son of a businessman,” said the resident.

Yadav gets exemption from court appearance
CBI court accepts her application with a rider; March 15 scheduled as the next date of hearing in the case
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 15
A CBI court today allowed Justice (retd) Nirmal Yadav permanent exemption from appearance during the trial. Yadav, who appeared in the court on the first hearing after framing of charges today, was granted exemption subject to the condition that she will appear before the court as and when directed. Charges were framed against Justice Yadav and other accused in the case on January 18.

In September 2011, Justice Yadav had moved an application for permanent exemption from appearing in the court on health grounds. However, the CBI had opposed the application.

The court today held that since the accused was elderly and ailing lady and had to visit the city for every hearing, her application seeking permanent exemption from court appearance was accepted. The six witnesses, including the complainant and five police officials, also appeared in the court today.

One of the accused, Sanjiv Bansal, a former Haryana Additional Advocate General, who was earlier contesting the case himself, has now engaged an advocate to contest his case. Bansal pleaded before the court to defer the case as his advocate needed time to study the case.

Accepting the request, the court adjourned the case to March 15.

The corruption case was registered against Justice Yadav, a Delhi hotelier Ravinder Singh, a former Haryana Additional Advocate General Sanjiv Bansal, a city-based businessman Rajiv Gupta and a real estate agent Nirmal Singh in August 2008.

The case hogged headlines after Rs 15 lakh, allegedly intended to be given to Yadav as bribe, were wrongly delivered at the residence of Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, another High Court judge, on August 13, 2008. Justice Nirmaljit Kaur reported the matter to the UT Police. Investigations subsequently handed over to the CBI had revealed that the money was meant for Yadav. On March 4, 2011, the CBI had filed a chargesheet in the case.

Cash at judge’s door

• In September 2011, Justice Yadav had moved an application for permanent exemption from appearing in the court on health grounds. However, the CBI had opposed the application.
• The CBI court has held that since the accused was elderly and ailing lady and had to visit the city for every hearing, her application seeking permanent exemption from court appearance was accepted.
• Yadav, who appeared in the court on the first hearing after framing of charges, was granted exemption subject to the condition that she will appear before the court as and when directed.

Referral coaching, mentoring programme begins at UT district courts
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 15
The UT State Legal Services Authority have organised two-day ‘Awareness, referral coaching and mentoring progamme’, which began today, at UT district courts. The programme was organised under the guidance of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Chief Justice, High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Patron-¬in¬-Chief of the Authority and Justice Hemant Gupta, Judge, High Court of Punjab and Haryana, and executive chairman of the authority.

In the programme, actual mediation sessions were conducted and were mentored by the mediation trainers from Delhi, with the help of local trained mediators. Seven pending cases in the District Courts, which were referred for mediation, were settled on the spot.

An awareness programme for spreading the awareness regarding the benefits of mediation was also organised in the Bar Room of the District Courts, Chandigarh, wherein more than 200 advocates, law students, mediators and legal aid counsel participated.

The awareness programme session was presided over by SK Aggarwal, District and Sessions Judge, Chandigarh.

Monika Jalota, advocate trainer, Chandigarh Mediation Centre, shared her experiences as a mediator at the High Court Mediation Centre and called upon her fellow mediators to adhere to the process of mediation with integrity.

On the second day, two separate sessions of trained mediators working in the mediation centre and judicial officers posted at District Courts, Chandigarh, will be held. The judicial officers will be trained about the process of referring the matters to mediation and shifting the appropriate cases for reference.

All-India inter-university shooting championship
Delhi University corner glory
Tribune News Service

Rain exposes Mohali Hockey Stadium’s poor planning
Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 15
The recent rain in the city has revealed the quality of material used for the construction of the Hockey Stadium in Mohali. The stadium was inaugurated on September 27, 2013, by the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Water-logging problem at the parking area, near gate number 2, and leakage from the roof is a matter of concern. Condition of the roof at the media centre and at VIP sitting seating area is also in a sorry state of affairs.

A total of Rs 42 crore was spent on the stadium.

The situation came into notice during a match between the host Jaypee Punjab Warrior and Uttar Pradesh Wizards.

“If the international-standard stadium has these kinds of problems, one can imagine the condition of other stadiums,” said Rudaransh Vyas, a spectator.

Another spectator said, “While coming up with stadiums like this, the officials could have made some provisions to overcome such problems at the first place itself.”

On the other hand, officials failed to comment on the matter. When asked about the issue, the Chief Administrator, GMADA, AK Sinha, simply replied, “I am busy right now. I will comment on this issue later.”

Warriors log win

Despite heavy rain and dip in temperature, the Mohali stadium witnessed hockey buffs, coming in large numbers, to watch a hockey match between Jaypee Punjab Warriors and Uttar Pradesh Wizards. The home team continued their winning streak and won the match 2-1. The team has qualified for the semi-final. Meanwhile, Gungun Chauhan and Anchal Jodhta, both from Shimla, won the 'Airtel Golden Goal Winner' award and bagged a cheque of Rs 10,000 each. In each match, five spectators get the opportunity to participate in the 'Airtel Golden Goal Contest'.

Junior players’ parents cry foul
Say admit their wards to academies without re-trials under new policy
Tribune News Service

Resham Singh, parent of a hockey player, adresses a press conference in Sector 35, Chandigarh, on Saturday. Tribune photo:Parvesh Chauhan

Chandigarh, February 15
Parents of junior hockey players, who were denied admission to the Chandigarh football and hockey academy after falling in the age determination test last year, had demanded induction of their wards back in the academy under the newly approved policy.

Under the new policy, the benefit of the doubt will be given to the players in the medical report of the age determination test. The policy was approved, last month, in a probe that was marked after receiving a complaint from the some parents. However, the new policy will be implemented from this year.

Last year, parents of six players, demanded an inquiry after their wards were denied admission to the academy after getting fail in the age determination test. Later, after the indications in the fact finding report and interference of the Punjab and High court, the former finance secretary approved the new policy. He had also mentioned that these wards may appear for the re-trails in the new session 2014.

"They had wasted one year of our wards and now asking us to come for re-trails. How could they entertain the players, who they claimed to be overage last year? Where are the rules now? After we challenged their decision in the court, they approved the new policy in favour of the players. So, we are demanding induction of our kids in the academy. Why should our kids suffer? asked Resham Singh, a parent, during interaction with the media. He further added, "Our kids are going through mental harassment. From past one year, we are collecting documents and going at every door" said he. The parents will also meet advisor to the Chandigarh Administrator on February 18. "We are scheduled to meet the Advisor on February 18. We will raise our demands and seek help from him. Earlier, he helped us and gave us a patient hearing" added he.