Panchkula, June 4
A local court today awarded seven years of imprisonment to the youth who tried to outrage the modesty of a nine-year-old girl in Sakteri.

Amar Lal has been convicted for charges under Sections 354 A (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty of a woman) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and Section 8 of the POCSO Act. A fine of Rs 5,000 has also been imposed on the convict.

A case was registered against Amar Lal at the Mansa Devi Complex police station on January 8 this year. He was accused of outraging the modesty of the girl who lived near his house in Manav Colony

Panchkula, June 4
Two youths were awarded five years of imprisonment each under the Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act here today.

The court convicted Vishnu and Dilbagh, who were arrested by the Sector 14 police after drugs were recovered from their possession. The incident took place in August 2013.

The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 40,000 each on the convicts.

Chandigarh, June 4
The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Emaar MGF Ltd. to pay Rs 11,40,000 for a delay in delivering possession of a plot booked by a Zirakpur-based complainant.

The commission also directed the realty firm to deliver the possession of the allotted plot within three months.

Earlier, the complainant, Girdhari Lal Gupta, had approached the state commission contending that he was allotted a 400 sq yard plot in the Augusta Greens, Sector 109, Mohali, in July, 2007.

It was further stated that the entire sale consideration of Rs 59,75,472, in respect of the plot had been received by the opposite party.

The physical possession of the fully developed residential plot was to be handed over to the complainant within a period of two years, but not later than three years from the date of agreement, failing which, it was liable to pay compensation at the rate of Rs 50 per sq yard per month for the period of delay, contended the counsel for the complainant, Pankaj Chandgothia.

In its reply, Emaar MGF pleaded that the complaint was not maintainable, as the complainant did not fall within the definition of a consumer because the plot was resold to him. It was further pleaded that the commission had no territorial and pecuniary jurisdiction to entertain and decide on the complaint. The opposite party stated that the complainant was offered relocation of plot in the same sector, which he refused to accept.

However, the commission held that the entire sale consideration of the plot had already been paid but the possession of plot was not delivered to the complainant, as the same had not been developed, as admitted by Emaar MGF.

The commission granted Rs 2 lakh as compensation for mental agony caused to the complainant, Rs 20,000 as payment towards the litigation costs and a penalty at the rate of Rs 50 per sq yard per month from the promised date of delivery of possession till the delivery of possession of the plot, which amounted to Rs 9,40,000.

Mohali, June 4
The Mohali police have arrested two persons in a land fraud case here today.

The police said Ranjit Singh and Inder Parkash, residents of Chandigarh, along with seven unidentified persons tried to sell nine acres of land located in Nanu Majra village, which belonged to Khushal Singh and his family members, for Rs 2.35 crore by preparing a fake agreement.

On the complaint of Khushal Singh, a case under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 474 and 120-B of the IPC has been registered against Ranjit Singh, Inder Parkash and seven other unidentified persons at the Phase-I police sation.

Sub-Inspector Rajiv Kumar, SHO, Phase-I police station, said Ranjit Singh and Inder Parkash have been arrested while the remaining accused would be apprehended soon.

The SHO said after preparing the fake agreement, the accused were trying to sell the land in question to the village sarpanch, Bahadur Singh. “As Bahadur Singh was aware of the land ownership, he informed Khushal Singh about the development,” the SHO said.

According to the complainant, the land in question belonged to him, his mother Mohinder Kaur and sister-in-law Gurmail Kaur. In his complaint, Khushal Singh alleged that the accused not only forged his signatures but also forged Gurmail’s thumb impression. “My sister-in-law usually signs papers,” claimed Khushal Singh.

Mohali, June 4
The Mohali Police claimed to have solved a murder case of Harjinder Singh, a resident of Sohana village, by arresting one person, Parveen Kumar, a resident of Chamatha village in Bihar. His accomplice Sonu Pandey is yet to be nabbed.

Mohali DSP (City II) Navreet Singh Virk said both the accused and the victim were drug addicts and known to each other.

“They used to commit petty thefts. The accused had grudge with Harjinder Singh as he had sold a ‘rehri’ which was stolen by Pandit and Parveen,” said DSP Virk.

Notably, Harjinder Singh, who was staying in Sohana village, was stabbed on the intervening night of May 31 and June 1 near Gurdwara Amb Sahib at Phase 8, here. He was shifted to Civil Hospital at Phase VI, where he had succumbed to his injuries.

Mohali, June 4
Three accused in a case attacked two cops and torn off their uniforms, when the cops tried to stop them from escaping at Kharar. On the complaint of head constable Kesar Singh, a case has been registered against Parminder Singh and his two sons, Malkit Singh and Gurdip Singh, under Sections 353, 186, 224, 225 and 34 of the IPC at Kharar Police Station.

HC Kesar Singh alleged that Parminder Singh along with his sons attacked him when he tried to stop them from escaping yesterday. Kesar Singh alleged that he along with Constable Narinder Singh was taking the accused before Ilaqa magistrate. “When we were getting into a vehicle, the accused tried to escape from our clutches. We chased and nabbed them. They attacked us and torn off our uniforms,” said HC Kesar Singh. 

Chandigarh, June 4
There seems to be no end of troubles for the UT Sports Department. Numbed over the recent revelation by Chandigarh Tribune team on Wednesday, the UT Sports Department may face tough times ahead.

The parents of players’ who were shunted out of Chandigarh Football and Hockey Academy on the basis of medical reports mentioning them as ‘overage’, plan to file a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) against the department. The recent revelation on ‘overage’ players, as per the age determination test of Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, has spread dark clouds over the approach of decision makers.

In January, the former finance secretary VK Singh ordered that the benefit of whole range of the bone age test should be given to players. But in March the players, falling above the age bracket declared by the panel of doctors, have been admitted to the academy. As per the advertisement, players of 10 years should be inducted in the academy while in the medical reports the doctors declares majority of players between 12 to 15 years, making with band difference of + and – 2 years. It s worth mentioning that a case pertaining to the loopholes in admitting players in the state run Chandigarh Hockey and Football Academy is pending in Punjab and Haryana High Court. “If these players, who fall under 12 to 15 years band, are not overage, then on what basis my son was declared over age. He was declared to be between 14 to 15 years, when the authorities have asked for players of over 12 years. Now if he is overage and denied admission than on what basis the players falling under 12 to 15 years band is inducted,” asked Resham Singh, a parent.

Another guardian added, “I have doubt, if there is something streamlined in the Chandigarh Sports department. At every step there is loophole. Players are being treated as the authorities want too. The contract of latest passed out hockey batch was cut short to six years after the authorities learned that they all were overage. Now, on who is at fault, players, doctors, authorities or some personal internets?” questioned Dilbag Singh, coach at a famous hockey academy near Mohali. Adding further, “We will surely file a PIL.” A written communication of director sports to sports secretary stated “We have got bone age test done as well as corroborative record of date of birth.

As decided benefit of full age band as per reported bone age band is to be given. The bone age reported for example 12 years plus minus two years has been taken as 10 years to 14 years. When asked about rejection of around 56 players in previous years, on the basis of the same age determination test. On which the latest batch is inducted. “A new criteria is adopted this year which entire band of possibility as per bone age testing is taken valid provided birth certificate also corroborates it. Earlier only median of bone test was taken as cut off.”

Answers leading to new questions

* If the example of 12 years plus minus two years has been taken as 10 years to 14 years, is taken then what about the status of the players found under 12 to 16 years of bandwidth. Also, if the -2 years part is considered then whey why +2 years part is not initiated.

* If the entire band of possibility, as per bone age testing, is taken valid then why the same criteria was not adopted in previous years.

* As per the new criteria, approved by former secretary, the benefit of whole age brand should be given to players. Then how come + and – 2 years formula was adopted.

Role of doctors also under the scanner

With majority of players spotted between 12 to 15 years, the role of panel of doctors and the method of tests, adopt to find age verification, has also come under scanner.“We have submitted what is spotted in age verification tests. We have nothing to do with players and it is the sports department who takes a final call,” said Dr Karam Singh, Head, Radiodiagnosis, GMSH 16.

Bloopers that have been dumped

* Kamalpreet, declared overage in 2009-10, later announced underage in 2013 and again ‘overage’, a day after it was highlighted

* Shaukat Ali enrolled in 2010-11. After two years he was declared overage.

* In 2009, nine players, inducted in 2008, were declared overage.

* In SN Vohra Memorial Hockey Cup 2011, sub-junior players were declared overage. CHA’s coach BS Randhawa, asked to conduct re-medical and 14 players were sent for the age verification test, in which, most of the players were found overage.

* Players’ contract reduced to seven years to six years, after finding that most of the players were overage.

* In the 11th All-India Maharaja Ranjit Singh Junior Gold Cup two players from outside the academy played the tournament. Milanpreet alias Milonpreet, represented the Chandigarh Hockey Academy (CFA) in two major tournaments despite being a non-trainee of the academy. He was excluded from the academy after he was found overage in 2012.

Chandigarh, June 4
Calling it a successful season, 26- year-old leg break googly bowler Karanveer Singh, shared his experience of playing in his first ever IPL (Indian Premier League) tournament. While representing home team of Kings XI Punjab, for the first time, he claimed 11 wickets in 5 matches. “IPL was a high pitch affair for me. It was my first international tournament. It’s good to perform at such a level against experience players,” said Karnveer. Adding further, “My experience with Kings XI has emerged as a new turn in my playing career. Playing under the guidance of Virru Paji (Virender Sehwag), George Baiely, Shaun March, David Miller, Wriddhiman Saha, provided my career a great start,” added Karanveer.

When asked about most tensed moment, he added, “I was controlling my anxiety in front of MS Dhoni during our match against Chennai Super Kings. The team has number of star players in their batting line-up and we were told to face them with using our natural talent. It was the most proud moment also when we defeated the team in Mumbai to march ahead,” stated Karanveer. On his future plans, he mentioned to practice in Chandigarh ahead of domestic cricket and international champion’s league. “I will try to focus more on the domestic season with representing my state (Himachal Pradesh). The Kings Xi side is a great and stable team and I am sure that we will win the champions league,” said Karanveer. 

Chandigarh, June 4
IPL’s star opener for Kings XI Punjab Manan Vohra and his former teammate of 2012 World Cup (U-19) winning squad Prashant Chopra, have been called to attend the probable’s camp for Indian U-23 cricket team, to be held in Bangalore for over a period of one month. The camp is organised by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) starting from Thursday.

Manan was one of only two players retained by Kings XI for the 2014 IPL season and his blasting innings of 324 runs in 8 matches with one half century, made his value worth. Back in 2013, Manan, was also a regular feature of Kings XI Punjab line-up. He batted at No. 3 and scored 161 runs in ten innings. “I am happy with my selection in the probable’s squad and hoping for the best. Last time, I got injured in the probable’s camp. Let’s hope, if I can make it to the finals squad,” said Manan. Riding high on his recent power pack innings in IPL-7, Manan is expected to get selected in the final squad. “I am in good form during my recent innings. Presence of seniors also added confidence in me and I am looking forward to give my best,” said Manan before leaving the city.

21-years-old Prashant Chopra is another name to BCCI’s call list from Chandigarh. Son of a cricket coach, Prashant hogged the limelight in 2012 junior world cup and played a vital role in helping the team to lift the trophy. While representing Himachal, in Ranji trophy, he scored 468 runs in 8 matches and in Vijay Hazare Trophy he scored 212 runs in four matches including a century against Punjab. “I am expecting some good news in the upcoming a month long camp. I am looking forward to perform at my best and make it to the final squad,” said Prashant, who recently bagged a spot in North zone team for Deodhar Trophy. 

Chandigarh, June 4
The Chandigarh Cricket Association (affiliated to Punjab Cricket Association) has selected probable’s squad for women cricket team, here today. The squad will under coaching camp at cricket ground of Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, from June 6 (6 am onwards). The selected team will participate in inter-district cricket meet to be held from June 10.

Probable’s list: Taniya Bhatia, Sunaina, Saini, Manisha, Divya, Dolly, Annu, Preti, Nandani, Monika Pandey, Saloni, Rajni, Mani, Priyanka, Sumanparvez, Himanshi, Radhima, Savitra, Lovely, Manswani.

Patiala, June 4
The semifinal matches of 13th Hot weather cricket tournament were played today at BECC grounds. In the first match Black Elephant Cricket Club, Patiala, defeated DMWCC by a whopping margin of 220 runs. Chasing the BECC’s target of 280, DMWCC lost their wickets at regular intervals and ultimately bundled out after scoring 60 runs. Once again, Ibadat played an impressive inning of 143 runs.

In the second semifinal match, DCF, Delhi, defeated Balaji Cricket Academy, Bahadurgarh, by 26 runs at YPS ground.

Batting first, Delhi boys set the target of 150 runs, but the BCA team didn’t manage to score more than 124 runs.