Chandigarh, February 17
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has penalised the State Bank of Patiala, Dera Bassi, Zonal Office and Head Office, Patiala, for failing to check withdrawal of Rs 80,000 from the complainant's account against its own rules in a case pertaining to card cloning.

The forum has directed the opposite parties to make the payment of Rs 15,000 to the complainant as compensation for deficiency in service and pay Rs 5,500 towards litigation costs.

Complainant Ram Anand alleged that on August 15, 2012, Rs 80,085 was withdrawn from his account through eight different withdrawals from ATM by some unknown person.

The complainant alleged that not more than Rs 40,000 could be withdrawn in a day as per the rules and regulations of the bank. It has been alleged that the withdrawal of Rs 80,085 by some unknown person illegally from the account of the complainant is negligence on the part of the opposite parties.

Chandigarh, February 17
A local court today sentenced a 45-year-old man to 10-year rigorous imprisonment in a case of a minor’s rape. The court convicted Rohtash, a resident of Bapu Dham Colony, in a case of rape under Section 376 of the IPC.

The UT police had arrested Rohtash in June 2013 on a charge of raping a minor girl. The police said on June 12, the accused, who worked as a labourer, raped the 10-year-old girl, who was his neighbour. The victim had told her parents that Rohtash forcibly took her into his house and raped her. Her parents had then lodged a complaint with the police. 

Chandigarh, February 17
Sentencing the convict in the siblings’ double murder case, Rahul, to life imprisonment till the “rest of his natural life”, the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Shalini Nagpal today held that the circumstances relied upon by the prosecution to prove murder charges in the case were clearly established.

The convict, Rahul; and below a file photo of the victims, Kavita Sahu and Gaurang

“The only conclusion deducible is the guilt of the accused. The circumstances relied upon are cogently and firmly established and form a complete chain and there is no escape from the conclusion that the crime of murder of Kavita and Gaurang was committed by the accused,” said the court.

“The crime of double murder of two teenaged children by their maternal uncle is indeed barbaric, brutal and diabolical in nature. But, unfortunately, there is no eyewitness to the occurrence. The case is based on circumstantial evidence and the findings of the court are based on inferences drawn from the proved circumstances,” said the court. The prosecution had pleaded for the death penalty for the accused.

The court had, on February 11, convicted 26-year-old Rahul, a resident of Raipurani, who was a distant maternal uncle of the two murdered siblings, Gaurang (15) and Kavita Sahu (17).

The two teenaged siblings were found stabbed to death at their Sector 41 home on the afternoon of December 16, 2011. Malti, mother of the two teenagers, had returned home when she saw the blood-spattered body of her daughter Kavita lying in a pool of blood on the bed. The police had then found the mutilated body of Gaurang lying in a pool of blood on the bed on the upper floor of the house.

Chandigarh, February 17
Even though there was no eyewitness to the murder of two teenagers on December 16, 2011, the UT police managed to solve the case and prove the accused guilty in court on the basis of strong circumstantial and scientific evidence.

In its 54-page judgment, the court said the motive, cause of death, recovery of a "shawl", the disclosure made by the accused and the DNA analysis of blood on a blue sweater recovered from the spot were sufficient to prove the guilt of the accused beyond doubt.

THE MOTIVE

Based on the statements of a neighbour of the siblings and their friend Sidharth Vashisht, the court held that the motive of the crime was clear. “The revelation made by witness Sidharath Vashisht is sufficient to infer that the accused had an evil eye on Kavita and that was the motive behind committing the offence,” said the court. It was submitted by public prosecutor Manu Kakkar that the accused was a distant relative of the deceased and was eyeing Kavita with nefarious intentions. “He had also stated that Kavita used to confide in him that Rahul used to harass her after taking drugs,” the court held.

RECOVERY OF BLOOD-STAINED CLOTHES

Providing a link to the chain of circumstances, the accused, after his arrest, had led the police to an area inside the fields and then to the area of bushes from where he took out a coloured bag containing a check shirt, a pair of blue jeans and a brown shawl, which were blood-stained.

BROKEN KNIFE

Another circumstantial evidence that went on to prove the murder charges was the knife used in the crime, which was found from the scene of the crime in three pieces. The accused had led the police to a shop, Vikas Traders, in Sector 41, Chandigarh, from where he had purchased the knife. The shopkeeper, Ravi Mittal, identified Rahul and said he had purchased the knife from him on December 16, 2011.

INJURY

Another circumstance relied upon by the court was the injury suffered by the accused on his left hand at the time of the committing the crime. The accused had led the police to Dr Devinder Kapil's clinic in Barwala, where he was treated.

The court said, “It is proved from the statement of Inspector Amanjot Singh and SI Shadi Lal that during interrogation, the accused had confessed that he had suffered injuries in his ring finger and took treatment from a doctor in Barwala, who later deposed before the court as a prosecution witness,” said the court.

DNA ANALYSIS OF SWEATER

Clinching evidence against the accused was the recovery of blue-striped blood-stained sweater from the scene of the crime on December 16, 2011.

Arrest made in Mumbai

While the police had showed the arrest of the accused from Ambala, the court accepted the defence plea on the basis of air tickets that the accused was arrested in Mumbai. “If an offender has been arrested in Mumbai, why has the police shown his arrest from Ambala? It is beyond the comprehension of the court,” it was stated.

Panchkula, February 17
A 46-year-old resident of Barwala village in Panchkula suffered bullet injuries under mysterious circumstances at his residence when he entered his room to wear clothes after taking bath.

Though the family members of the victim, identified as Sandal Singh Rana, claimed that it was accidental firing as he was cleaning his revolver but the police are working on all other theories. Rana’s wife is the sarpanch of the village.

The victim who suffered bullet injuries from his licensed revolver, in his ankle, was rushed to General Hospital at Sector 6 from where the doctors referred him to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh. However, the family took the victim to Gokul Surgical Hospital in Sector 15, Panchkula.

Sonu, son of the victim, said, “At around 7.30 in the morning my father was cleaning the revolver when accidentally the trigger got pressed and he was injured.”

Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ashwin Shenvi said, “We have lodged a DDR. Though prima facie, it seems to be a case of accidental firing but we are exploring from all angles. The licensed revolver used has been seized.”

Also, when the general hospital authorities referred the victim to GMCH-32, the family members said it was too far and would be taking him to Raffles Hospital in Sector 14, Panchkula. After the hospital authorities, informed the Raffles Hospital, they came to know that the victim was not taken there as well but to another private hospital in Sector 15 as they feared registration of a case.

Chandigarh, February 17
A group of half a dozen youths vandalised a chemist shop, three vehicles and attacked three persons, included a woman, with sharp-edged weapons at Phase-II, Ramdarbar, here on Sunday night.

The area residents alleged that cops in a PCR remained a mute spectator and acted only when assailants had escaped. The injured, including Kusum, 42, and her 19-year old son Sandeep, were rushed to the GMCH-32.

Gora, Ravi and Rocky have been booked for attempt to murder. An injured Yogesh Kumar claimed, “I kept calling on the PCR and someone picked the phone on my fifth attempt. The attendent did not give me the number of the DSP on night duty and asserted that a gypsy was on the way to the spot.” — TNS

Chandigarh, February 17
Weightlifters of the Weightlifting Coaching Centre (WCC), Sector 42, here, won the overall trophy of the senior and junior championships by claiming 213 points on the second day of the 25th Senior (Men), 17th Junior (Men) and 10th Sub-Junior (Boys) championship.

The event was concluded at the Weightlifting Hall of the Sports Complex, Sector 42.

The team from the Public Sports Club (PSC), Sector 56, secured the second position with 199 points and Air Force Station, Sector 47, secured the third position with 162 points.

In the same championship, six state records were also created.

In the 56-kg senior men category, Mahajan Dipak from the 3BRD, Air Force, created three state records in the snatch event (from 96 kg to 101 kg), clean and jerk (from 123 kg to 125 kg) and total (from 219 kg to 236 kg). He won a gold medal in the event.

In the 62-kg junior category, Gourav from the Weightlifting Coaching Centre created three state records in snatch (from 102 kg to 105 kg), clean and jerk (from 123kg to 125kg) and total (from 225 kg to 235kg).

Results

56-kg Category (Junior)

Gurkirat Singh; WCC, Sector 42; 62 (snatch); 82 (clean and jerk); 144 (total); 1st position.

Pawan Kumar; WCC-42; 45; 67; 112; 2nd.

Haresh; PSC; 45; 65; 110; 3rd.

62-kg Category (Junior)

Gagandeep Singh; Sector 34; 54; 82; 136; 1st.

Daljeet Singh; PSC; 55; 78; 133; 2nd.

Deepinder Singh; Chandigarh; 50; 72; 122; 3rd.

69-kg Category (Junior)

Gourav; WCC-42; 105; 130; 235; 1st.

Ramandeep Singh; PSC; 91; 122; 213; 2nd.

Geetmohan Singh; WCC-42; 85; 117; 202; 3rd.

77-kg Category (Junior)

Narinder Singh; SGGSC-26; 100; 127; 227; 1st.

Jagdeep Singh; SGGSC-26; 100; 125; 225; 2nd.

Balwinder Singh; PSC; 60; 80; 140; 3rd.

85-kg Category (Junior)

Rahul Rawat; WCC-42; 100; 123; 223; 1st.

Amit Kumar; PSC; 98; 120; 218; 2nd.

Sushil; Chandigarh; 92; 110; 212; 3rd.

94-kg Category (Junior)

Maninder Singh; SGGSC-26; 93; 120; 213; 1st.

Ramandeep Singh; DAV-10; 75; 90; 165; 2nd.

105-kg Category (Junior)

Bhupinder Singh; WCC-42; 117; 162; 279; 1st.

Amanpreet Singh; PSC; 70; 93; 163; 2nd.

Harish; Chandigarh; 70; 90; 160; 3rd.

+105 kg Category (Junior)

Akshay Salwan; WCC-42; 110; 110; 220; 1st.

Rohan Pathak; PSC; 40; 50; 90; 2nd.

Sukhpreet Singh; Chandigarh; 38; 50; 88; 3rd.

56-kg Category (Senior Men)

Mahajan Deepak; Air Force, Chandigarh; 101; 135; 236; 1st.

Sagar Passi; Chandigarh; 70; 93; 163; 2nd.

62-kg Category

Gurpal Singh; Chandigarh; 100; 141; 241; 1st.

Manjinder Singh; Chandigarh; 105; 135; 240; 2nd.

Anmoldeep Singh; Chandigarh; 80; 115; 195; 3rd.

69-kg Category

Lakhan Jagota; Chandigarh; 105; 125; 230; 1st.

Ashok Kumar; Chandigarh; 96; 112; 208; 2nd.

Gurjeet Kumar; Chandigarh; 89; 111; 200; 3rd.

77-kg Category

Ravinder Batra; Chandigarh; 113; 145; 258; 1st.

Sheru Singh; Chandigarh; 114; 143; 257 2nd.

Damandeep Giri; Chandigarh; 85; 117; 202; 3rd.

85-kg Category

Manish Sharma; Chandigarh; 117; 152; 269; 1st.

Gurpreet Singh: WCC-42; 118; 146; 264; 2nd.

Amrinder Singh; SGGSC-26; 110; 142; 252; 3rd.

94-kg Category

Sandeep Yadev; Air Force; 130; 155; 285; 1st.

Pritpal Singh; Chandigarh; 122; 152; 274; 2nd.

Jigarpartap Singh; Chandigarh; 106; 140; 246; 3rd.

105-kg Category (Junior)

Kasim Shaik; Air Force, Chandigarh; 130; 169; 299; 1st.

Gurjant Puri; Chandigarh; 135; 162; 297; 2nd.

Jagtar Singh; Chandigarh; 123; 155; 278; 3rd.

Chandigarh, February 17
Eves of MCM Club overpowered Dev Samaj BEd College 35-2 in a game of the Senior State Basketball Championship being commenced at New Public School, Sector 18, here, today.

Making a strong grip over the game, the club started well and claimed an early lead, with Kiran collecting 12 points. She was supported by Esha, who remain the other remarkable scorer collecting 10 points. For the losing side, Mandeep gathered two points. In another one-sided match of the same category, GGSC Club defeated Sacred Heart Club by 44-10.

Results:

Women's section

GGSC Club bt Sacred Heart Club 44-10 (Gul-12 points,Kirti-10, Harkiran-8, Reet-4, Shavy 3 and Ramya 3). MCM Club bt Dev Samaj BEd College 35-2 (Esha-10 points, Kiran-12; Mandeep-2); PGC Club beat PUC, Chandigarh, 40-18 (Navneet-13, Gagandeep-8; Shama-8, Diksha-6).

Men's section

Jugraj Coaching Centre bt St Anne's Club 61-42 (Kuldeep-16points, Abhit-14; Manroop-10); PUC Club bt Royal Club 54-39 (Sartaj-28, Pulkit-11; Manpreet-12, Amritpal-10).

Chandigarh, February 17
The refresher course conducted by the Chandigarh Sports Council for the local coaches commenced at the Conference Hall of Sector 42 Sports Complex, here, today.

On the first day of the event, Dr Mandeep S Dhillon, Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, PGIMER, interacted with the coaches on 'Injury in Sports'.

Later in the evening, NS Mann and Dr Balwinder Bal interacted with them.

The event will conclude on February 21.

Eminent sportspersons will deliver lectures on various topics, including understanding wellness in sports, sports nutrition, develop your general philosophy and objective for better performance, scope in present science, sports mind game.

Chandigarh, February 17
DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, defeated City Public School, Jalandhar, while APJ Cricket Academy, Kharar, trounced DC Model Ferozpur, with six wickets during the ongoing matches of the Inter-District Cricket Championship, held here today.

In the first match, the DAV School defeated City School by six wickets.

After electing to bat first, the Jalandhar side posted 142 runs before getting all out in 35.5 overs. Simranpal (27 off 39) and Gourav (27 off 62) were the main scorers for the team, while Manthan contributed an unbeaten 18 runs off 30 balls.

For the winning side, bowler Sarthak hogged the limelight by claiming a five-wicket haul for 40 runs whereas Prashant Tomer claimed 2 for 19.

Chasing the target, the DAV School scored 147 runs in 30.5 overs with Tavleen (43 off 83), Sagar (30 off 47) and Jagdeep (26 runs) scoring the major share.

For the bowling side, Simranpal claimed 2 for 41 and Jasvir took 1 for 34.

In the second match, DC Model School, Ferozepur, went down against the APJ, Kharar. The Ferozpur side, while batting first, bundled out on a mere total of 62 runs in 19.1 overs.

For the Kharar side, Manish claimed 5 for 16. Ashish Bisht (2 for 13) and Himanshu (2 for 8) were the other main wicket-takers for the team. In batting, Bhuvnesh (15 off 33) and Vansham (15 off 25) scored the major share. In reply, the Kharar team scored 67 runs in 9.4 overs with Manbeer scoring 51 off 19.

Chandigarh, February 17
Four-year-old Niel Jolly and seven-year-old Unaiza Abutta were among those who participated in the Champions Junior Golf Tour. The event, organised under the aegis of the Indian Golf Union, was held at the Forest Hill Golf Resorts.

Karandeep Singh Kochar, who participated in Category B, carded rounds of 74 and 75 to win the overall trophy as well as the Combined Division with a two-day total of five-over- par, 149.

Karandeep comfortably dominated the other 44 participants, winning by seven strokes from his nearest rival, Vishav Pratap Singh, who was placed second at 156.

Arjun Babutta won the College Division while Mankirat Singh won the Division A. Simarjit Singh Chadha won the Division C, Tushar Pannu topped the Division D and Manjot Singh won in the Division E. Kuldeep Singh Dhesi was the best in the Division F while Puneet Kaur Bajwa won the girls division.

Chandigarh, February 17
Four singles and seven doubles International Tennis Federation titles helped the local upcoming tennis face Parminder Kaur in bagging a whopping $56,000 (over Rs 34 lakh annually) scholarship for four years.

The former student of St Stephen's School, Sector 45, has started her career with Saint Mary's College of California, US, last month.

She has been ranked in the top five in both U-14 and U-16 categories of the All-India Tennis Association (AITA). At present, she is claiming No. 210 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior rankings.

"I am happy after getting shortlisted for this scholarship. My scholarship will get renew after every four years and it covers my accommodation, tuition, books, playing equipment, insurance and other expenditures. I will try to take full advantage of this opportunity to nurture my career under experienced coaches and professional players," said Parminder over a telephonic conversation. The 18-year-old former trainee of Chandigarh Club and Lake Sports Complex gives all credits to her former school's principal Harlod Carver, her coach Chhedi Lal and her father Manjit Singh.

"All these people played an important role in my life and will continue to bless me with their guidance and experience," she added.

"The university is among the best of the universities and is providing good exposure to her. So, she decided to start afresh from California," said Manjit Singh, her father.

In a written statement, Lisa Alipaz, head coach of the Saint Mary's women's tennis team, stated: "We are excited to get a player of her calibre. She will make immediate impact to our programme and we are looking forward to watch her progress over the next few years."