Mohali, April 7
In case of fake appointments and promotion scam in the Punjab Rural and Panchayat Development Department, the local court has framed charges against seven accused, here today.

In the court of Mohali Additional District and Sessions Judge Dilbagh Singh Johal, charges were framed against the superintendent of the department, Harbilas Mithan from Mallewal village (Nawanshahar), senior assistant Lekh Raj from Batala, Amarjit Singh from Mohali, ETT teacher Gurpreet Singh from Thangera village (Nabha), Amrik Singh from Mandi village (Patiala), Suman from Sirhind and Karamjit Singh, a clerk.

The court has set the date for next hearing on April 24.

According to the information, a case was registered under Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 201 and 120 B of the IPC and appropriate sections of PC Act against the accused at the Vigilance Police Station, Phase VIII on December 18, 2012, on the complaint of Avtar Singh, secretary of Punjab Rural and Panchayat Development Department. In the complaint, it was stated that the accused had forged the signatures of the then director of the department, Gurdev Singh Sandhu, on appointment letters and promotion letters of certain persons.

Panchkula, April 7
Reports on burnt tyres’ ashes reportedly came under scanner, when during cross examination, the director of the Shriram Forensic Laboratory in Delhi said he had given an opinion as per the declaration made by the police officials.

Defense counsel Amandeep Bindra said, “When we asked certain questions about the ashes, director RS Rai could not give the answers properly. Later, he said he gave his opinion on the basis of the declaration made by the police.”

The prosecution had earlier stated that after Jyoti was strangulated, a heavy vehicle was run over her head to show it as an accident case and in order to destroy evidence, the tyre was later burnt. Ashes of the tyres were sent to Shriram Forensic Laboratory in Delhi. The laboratory had confirmed that the ashes of tyres were of a heavy motor vehicle.

Meanwhile, assistant sub-inspector Barkha Ram also deposed before the court. He said he deposited samples of car seat, clothes at CFSL, Chandigarh. Dr Kanta Malik, handwriting expert from FSL, Madhuban, Karnal, also deposed before the court. But, due to time limitations, the interrogation could not be completed.

Chandigarh, April 7
A local court today again issued notice to actor Rahul Bose for hurting patriotic sentiments. The court has issued notice to Bose seeking a reply.

Earlier, the Bollywood actor was issued a notice on March 11. Mandeep Kaur, an advocate, had filed the petition seeking unqualified apology from the actor.

The petition was filed seeking direction by the court to order Bose to render ‘unqualified apology’.

The petition was filed following an article published in a newspaper in which Bose had stated that he was ‘ashamed of being an Indian’. According to the petition, Bose was quoted in the article saying that, ‘he had taken admission in a Mumbai college but was ashamed to go there as he didn’t want to study in India and had always preferred studying abroad’.

Chandigarh, April 7
The Chandigarh police apprehended three juveniles in a robbery case. According to information, Surinder Kumar, a resident of Faidan village, was robbed of his mobile phone and money by four boys near Sector 31 light point, while he was returning to home from Industrial Area, Phase I.

In another incident, Ram Narayan was robbed of his mobile phone and some cash by the same boys near Kali Bari light point, on the intervening night on April 6 and 7.

The station house officer, Sector 31 Police Station, Kirpal Singh, said during the course of investigation, a juvenile resident of Hallo Majra was identified and interrogated, who gave information about the other three juveniles involved in the crime. Two have been apprehended.

Mohali, April 7
The police arrested five youths, staying as paying guests here, for creating a ruckus in an inebriated condition last night at Phase VII, here. The accused have been identified as Kamaldeep Singh from Nabha, Karan from Hoshiarpur, Raghbir Singh from Barnala, Prem Tyagi from Rajasthan and Devreet Singh, a local resident.

Inspector Navin Pal Singh Lehal, SHO, Mataur police station, said the youngsters were creating ruckus while moving around in a tractor.

“Our police party noticed them and rounded them up. We have taken a legal action against them. They were produced before Ilaqa Magistrate. Later, all accused were granted bail," said Lehal. — TNS

Mohali (Lalru), April 7
The police arrested three persons on the charge of gang raping a 20-year-old girl of Dehar village here today. The arrested accused included Gurdas, Sunil and Gurdip, while their fourth accomplice is yet to be arrested.

In her complaint, the victim alleged that the accused used to harass her. She said Gurdas and Sunil entered her room on the night of March 11 and raped her. Sunil made a video clip of the act and the accused forced her to leave her house with cash worth Rs 1.5 lakh and gold jewellery.

Later, Gurdip, cousin of Gurdas, and their fourth accomplice, too, exploited her physically, said the victim.

The girl claimed that she managed to run from the clutches of the accused on March 18 when she was taken to the Punjab and Haryana High Court by Gurdas.

The kin of the accused termed all charges baseless and said it was a matter of love affair. “Now the youngsters are being implicated in a false case,” claimed a kin of one of the accused.

Meanwhile, the police have registered a case of rape and kidnapping against the accused at the Lalru police station. Gurdas was produced before the court, which sent him to two days police remand.

Chandigarh, April 7
In a hit-and-run case, a 20-year-old cyclist was run over by an unknown car at the road dividing Sectors 22/35 yesterday night. The deceased, identified as Ramesh Kumar, was a resident of Sector 25. He was working as a security guard.

The accident took place when the cyclist was going towards Sector 25. A speeding car hit him from the rear side.

Police sources said it was raining when the incident took place and passers-by failed to note down the registration number of the car.

Ramesh was rushed to the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, where doctors declared him brought dead. The body has been handed over to the family after a postmortem examination.

A case has been registered against the unidentified car driver at sector 36 police station. An investigation has been initiated.

Chandigarh, April 7
Leaving the ‘Blues’ and holding the ‘Reds’, Virender Sehwag is all set to represent ,region’s home side of the Kings XI Punjab, in the forthcoming seventh edition of the glamorous IPL (Indian Premier League) starting from April 16.

Known for his boundary-hitting nature, Sehwag will be opening up for the Kings XI Punjab side after his previous team (Delhi Daredevils) did not retain him in 2014 players’ auction. Nevertheless, forgetting the past and starting afresh, the former opening batsman of Indian cricket side is looking forward to prove his mettle for Punjab.

The Kings XI side attended their first collective practice session at the grounds of St John’s High School, Sector 26, today. And with no doubt, Virender Sehwag remained the player to watch. Although not willing to comment anything on the Indian cricket, he maintained that 2014 would bring some good news for his new side. “The side is good mixture of young and experienced players. And that would possibly work for bagging the title of the tournament. Like previous years, the IPL is expected to remain a high pitch and I am looking forward to playing a big role for my new side,” mentioned Sehwag. Adding further, “Even though it was our first day, the juniors seem to be in good touch, which will provide us an edge to depend upon. Cricket is all about concentration and carrying forward the effort,” added he.

On asking about his batting performance, he maintained, scoring big and quick is not an easy task. Giving initial start to a batting line-up is as important as maintaining individual performance. He also expressed his happiness over the venue of the IPL in the sub-continent as he rates pitch there, as batting friendly.

Sehwag performed on an average par in the recently held Syed Mustaq Ali Cricket Tournament held recently at the PCA Stadium, Mohali, and Cricket Stadium, Sector 16, Chandigarh. “I am happy that this year’s IPL will be held in this sub-continent only. These pitches are good for batting and excel. I would not be sitting in any test and would play my natural game. Yes, every player wants to perform well and to contribute a major share in team’s achievements. Being a senior player and an opening batsman, there are many responsibilities. Hopefully, I will prove my worth,” said Sehwag.

On being asked about acting as a mentor of the team and missing elements of his previous side, he answered, “I am just a player. And we are a team here to perform for the team. Seniors always help their juniors and sometimes vice-versa. We have a good batch and will gel up well together. Rest, about previous the team, last year there were no such Delhi’s player in that team, so I won’t be missing any element. Playing is my priority and will perform the same for this team also,” he maintained.

Chandigarh, April 7
Overwhelmed ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) defeated defending champions IOC (Indian Oil Corporation) by 3-1 to name the finals of 32nd PSPB Inter-unit Hockey Tournament, concluded at the Hockey Stadium, Mohali, here today.

In a well-settled final match, defending champions IOC (Indian Oil Corporation) dominated the first 35 minutes of the game. With the help of ace-strikers and regular visits to rivals’ area, the team attained their first penalty corner in the third minute of the game.

With no mistake in-form drag flicker Didar Singh dominated the proceeding and scored the lead. Afterwards, the IOC (Indian Oil Corporation) side kept on pressurising ONGC’s defence however failed to convert golden opportunities to their favour.

On other hand, leading their Oil and Natural Gas Corporation successfully attained two back to back goal-scoring moments with attaining two penalty corners. But Indian Oil Corporation’s custodian, high on alerts, saved the attack twice.

After lemon break, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation lads, overcoming their past mistakes lead the second half. P Sommana, the young striker in the 37th minute, scored the equaliser through a corner conversion by Diwakar Ram. The in-form latter again put the team ahead with converting another penalty corner in the 45th minute and a field goal in the 61st minute to ensure Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s victory.

Diwakar Ram was adjudged the player of tournament. MM Somaya, an Arjun Awardee and former captain of the Indian Hockey team (ED Aviation BPCL) distributed the prizes among the winners.

Chandigarh, April 7
CHART trainee Naresh Badgujar blanked Vikramaditya Kadian in straight sets at 6-0 and 6-0, to move into the pre-quarter final of the ongoing Super Series Tennis Tournament, being held at the CLTA Tennis Courts, here today. Another CHART trainee Krishan Hooda moved to the pre-quarter finals with a 6-3 and 7-6 win over Siddharth Nijhavan.

Results

Boys (U-12) Singles First: Dev Javia bt Ritik Rana 6-3, 6-3; Naresh Badgujar bt Vikramaditya Kadian 6-0, 6-0; Kanishk Pal bt Vansh Kapoor 6-2, 6-0; Shrut Mohan Nagreta bt Sammar Raina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4; Mahesh Mohapatra bt Dhruv Tangri 6-3, 6-2; Nikhil Niranjan bt Anmol Jain 6-3, 6-3; Divesh Gahlot bt Srikant Thakur 6-1, 6-0; Akash Ahlawat bt Prateek Saroha 6-2, 6-2; Sandesh Kantimahanti bt Vaibhav Bisht 6-4, 6-0; Bhupender Dahiya bt Shubham Saini 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-2; Ashray Gupta bt Uddayvir Singh 6-1, 4-6, 6-0; Asav Kumar bt Abhijit Singh 6-3, 6-1; Jaishvin Sidana bt Nishant Dabas 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4); Krishan Hooda bt Sidharth Nijhawan 6-3, 7-6 (0); Sidharth Goel bt Abhay 6-2, 7-6(5); Neel Garud bt Kousik Reddy 6-0, 6-0.

Girls (U-12) Singles First: Shreya Gulia bt Sehajveer Bhandal 6-0, 6-0; Amreen Sidhu bt Neha Pal 6-0, 6-0; Ishita Singh bt Tasheen Makkar 6-1, 6-1; Tanisha Kashyap bt Tanisha Pranjal 6-0, 6-1; Ishita Singh bt Tashneen Makkar 6-1, 6-1; Kiran Kalkal bt Luvya Lamba 6-0, 6-2; Rahat Mangat bt Asmit Kaur 6-1, 6-2; Riya Uboveja bt Priyanka Khanna 6-4, 6-4; Alisha Menon bt Vanshika Choudhary 6-1, 6-3; Mushrath Shaik bt Maansi Singh 6-1, 6-0; Shmbhavi Tiwari bt Shrishti Dhir 6-0, 6-0; Yana Dhamija bt Nikita Kharangra 6-4, 6-2; Sanya Singh bt Nimrat Atwal 6-1, 6-1; Gauri Bhagia bt Kashish Bhatia 6-0, 6-1; Bindu Kulharia bt Innayat Sandhu 6-3, 6-2; Durva Deo bt Satakshi Singh 6-0, 6-0.

Boys (U-16) Singles: Param Pun bt Vikram Dhananjay 6-1, 6-2; Jagdeep Bajwa bt Prithvi Khanna 6-1, 6-2; Sanket Tomar bt Himanshu Mor 6-4, 6-1; Arnav Bhadwaj bt Siddhant Mahala 6-3, 6-2; Sumit Pal Singh bt Neel Garud 6-1, 6-1; Rohit Kumar bt Shashikant Rajput 6-2, 6-2; Anav Vadhera bt Ankit Rao 7-6, 6-1; Naithaolin Golmei bt Sagar Sehrawat 6-1, 6-2; Siddharth Bedekar bt Abhimanyu Rozra 6-3, 6-3; Digvijay Pratap Singh bt Raunaq Marwaha 6-3, 6-1; Vikrant Dahiya bt Atif Sheikh 6-1, 6-1. — TNS