Bathinda, July 16
The court of the Additional Sessions Judge Rajwinder Kaur today awarded rigorous life imprisonment to a couple along with three others for kidnapping and demanding a ransom of Rs 3 crore from a student of DAV College, Chandigarh, in June 2010.

Those awarded imprisonment, include a couple with a four-month-old child. The accused were identified as Mandip Kaur, her husband Daljit Singh, Kampal Singh, Jasvir Singh and Pavittar Singh, all residents of Muktsar.

Complainant in the case, Nandan Nagpal (then 20 years old), said he was kidnapped from near the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant by five persons including a girl—Mandip Kaur.

The girl had started chatting over the phone with Nandan after she ‘inadvertently’ made a wrong call. When the boy said that it was a wrong number, the girl sent an SMS saying that she liked his way of talking and wanted to befriend him. The girl revealed that she came from the UK and did not have friends in Chandigarh.

Advocate BS Dhillon who was assisted by additional public prosecutor JS Gill in the case, said the boy’s family had considerable landholding in Muktsar and a hotel in Sector 35. The boy was in touch with the girl over the phone for around a week before kidnapping.

On June 17, 2010, the boy was on his way to Malout (in district Muktsar) in his Honda Civic car bearing the registration number of Chandigarh. When he crossed Bhawanigarh near Patiala, the girl contacted him and expressed her desire to meet him while on way to Malout.

The boy slowed down his car so that the girl could catch up with him somewhere near Bathinda. The girl drove a Toyota Innova car from Chandigarh and caught up with him near the lakes of the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant from where the boy was overpowered by four men and the girl.

The boy alleged that he was made unconscious using injections for three days in a car and also in the agricultural fields. The lawyer said the accused sought a ransom of Rs 3 crore from the boy’s family members. One of the kidnappers made a phone call from the same number, used to demand ransom, to his wife and was caught in the police net.

The lawyer said the girl who drove the car to meet the boy was not the one who connected with him over the phone but someone else.

“The girl who had befriended the boy, was only a bait. She was identified as Karamjit Kaur, a resident of Barnala, doing her B.Ed at a college in Chandigarh,” the lawyer said. He added that those who actually kidnapped the boy in Bathinda were Mandip Kaur and her husband Daljit Singh, Pavittar, Jasbir and Kampal Singh.

The girl who sent the text messages—Karamjit and her accomplice Manpreet Singh — were acquitted by the court due to lack of evidence against them.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 on each convict and in case of default of payment, the accused would further have to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a year. Out of the total compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh, the victim would get Rs 75,000.

 

17-June-2010: Nandan Nagpal, a 20-year-old student of BA-first year was kidnapped by a girl and four of her accomplices from near the lakes of Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant. A girl befriended him and expressed her desire to meet him while on his way to Malout in Muktsar. The girl who befriended the boy was a bait and was identified as a student of B.Ed studying in Chandigarh. She was offered Rs 5 lakh with the task of befriending the boy and to reveal his location to the kidnappers so that they could implement their plan. The boy remained unconscious in the custody of the kidnappers most of the time for three days after which he was released near Malout. The girl who had sent text messages and called up the boy was acquitted by the court due to lack of evidence. The accused belong to rich families having considerable landholdings.

Bathinda, July 16
The old and outdated building of the Bathinda Zila Parishad is all set to undergo a revamp. If all goes well, the building will be a state-of-the-art one and would adhere to international standards of green existence and offer several new facilities. The new swanky building will come in the place of the old building and the cost of the project has been pegged at Rs 5 crore. The building will aim to serve the maximum commercial purpose to generate revenue for the Bathinda Zila Parishad.

Apart from having a double basement, the building will have four floors, all having an area of 6050 sq ft. While the first floor will be turned into a mall housing small shops, the second floor will offer space for commercial offices, preferably to banks and insurance companies. The third floor will have the office of the Zila Parishad and the fourth floor will have a rest house.

The building will offer a huge parking space and will adhere to international architectural standards vis-à-vis fire safety, earthquake, use of solar energy, natural sunlight and rainwater harvesting, among other norms. It will also have a fire-resistant washroom which will safeguard the occupants even if the rest of the building is on fire.

A meeting was convened today by the chairman of the Bathinda Zila Parishad. Secretary, Ravinder Singh, engineer Satish Kumar, JE Gaurav Singla, media in- charge Rattan Sharma and other members of the Zila Parishad attended the meeting. During the meeting, a four-member committee was constituted to look into the construction and development of the new building.

The committee will also be responsible for making sure that only good quality material is used for the construction of the building and that none of the architectural norms set for environment-friendly buildings are overlooked during the construction.

Elaborating on the plan, Zila Parishad chairman, Gurpreet Singh Maluka said, “In the existing structure of the Zila Parishad, the total space available is not serving its optimum utility. There are a couple of shops on the land. While a few of them will stay, the others will be removed and adjusted inside the new structure. The building will serve the dual purpose of proper utilisation of space and generating revenue. The building will also set an example for its architectural techniques and environment-friendly aspects.”

Bathinda, July 16
Even as the death of six-year-old child Sushmita, who was suffering from diphtheria, was fresh in public mind, another case has been traced in the same village of the district. The girl Khushi, suffering from diphtheria, is a classmate of Sushmita.

Panic has gripped the village Jai Singh Wala where the seond case diphtheria has surfaced. A few days ago, her classmate died of diphtheria at the PGIMER, Chandigarh, on the night of July 9.

She was being treated for diphtheria, a contagious bacterial infection marked by the formation of a false membrane in the throat and other air passages causing difficulty in breathing.

Khushi was among the 18 children from Jai Singhwala village whose samples were collected after diphtheria was traced in the village. Khushi, daughter of Om Prakash, a labourer, is now admitted to the PGIMER, Chandigarh for treatment.

A team of doctors would remain in the village till July 20 and are observing each and every villager for suspected case of diphtheria. Doctors are regularly in touch with the parents of deceased patients.

It is pertinent to mention here that the health officials of Bathinda district have already vaccinated around 1,200 children in this village having a population of about 5,500 where two cases of diphtheria have been detected.

Chief Medical Officer Bathinda Dr Tejwant Singh Randhawa said, “We had taken all the precautionary measures. All children of Jai Singh Wala had been vaccinated. We are in touch with the families of the victim and the villagers. We had received reports that Khushi who is under treatment is now out of danger at the PGIMER. We have put our teams on alert and if the need arises, we would conduct a survey in the villages.”

Punjab has been almost free from this disease for the past several decades. At the time of birth, all infants are compulsorily given a DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) vaccine dose. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, used to be a common disease among the infants.

Bathinda, July 16
Block Primary Education Officer, Darshan Singh Jidda, today submitted his report in the case of women teachers of Government Elementary School, Lal Singh Basti, accusing the head teacher of the school of misbehaviour. In his report, he had accused the head teacher, Bant Singh, of misusing government funds.

In the report submitted to the District Education Officer (Elementary) Shiv Pal, the BPEO, has written that the head teacher has been found guilty of embezzlement and also mentioned that Bant Singh was accused of similar offence in June last year too.

Through a letter dated, June 28, 2013, the BPEO had complained to the department mentioning that Bant Singh was found guilty of embezzling funds to the tune of Rs 2,06,157.

In his report, the BPEO has mentioned his findings noted during the enquiry conducted in the case on July 12.

He mentioned that during the investigation, it was found that the head teacher of the school, Bant Singh used to pass comments pertaining to the clothes and physical attributes of some of the women staff members.

It was also mentioned that one of the midday meal cooks also accused Singh of misdemeanor and the matter was settled only after a senior woman teacher intervened.

Jidda has also pointed out that the women teachers had accused Singh of clicking their pictures using his mobile phone and when he was asked to furnish his mobile phone, he told the enquiry members that he had forgotten his phone at home.

It is pertinent to note here that teachers Sukhdeep Kaur, Savita Rani and Sudesh had filed a complaint against the head teacher.

In their complaint, they had alleged that the head teacher caused “mental torture” to them by complimenting them on their dress sense, trying to pressurise them by threatening them of sabotaging their careers by turning their annual work report negative.

The BPEO has also noted that this is not the first time that the head teacher has been accused of such activities.

In the past too, similar complaints have been received against him and hence, his claim that he was being framed by the women teachers because they disliked his disciplinarian attitude did not hold ground.

Bathinda, July 16
The National Green Tribunal yestaerday imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on an XEN of the Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) and Rs 10,000 on a private company for setting up the municipal solid waste treatment plant on Mansa Road.

The case came up for hearing on Tuesday wherein the NGT took a strong note of the false claims of developing a green belt adjoining the boundary wall of the dumping site.

Mal Singh, Captain (retd), and advocate Guriqbal Singh Chahal said the corporation's XEN tendered an unconditional apology before the NGT for not giving accurate details about the green belt during the previous hearing.

"The tribunal refused his apology and imposed a penalty," Chahal said.

He added that the tribunal has also directed the secretary local bodies of Government of Punjab, to appear for next hearing. It also directed the JITF Urban Waste Management Limited — the private company — to appear before it. Chahal also added that the site is yet not transferred to the JITF after the environmental clearance to go ahead with the project.

Municipal Commissioner, Balwinderjit, too was present for the hearing in Delhi and in his presence the principal bench of the Tribunal imposed penalty.

It is pertinent to mention here that in its last hearing, which was held on July 9, the corporation's XEN had stated that the boundary walls of the site have been developed with the green belt and boundary wall.

Commissioner Dalwinderjit said the next date of hearing is now fixed for July 30 and the Tribunal has directed them to submit the compliance report pertaining to develop the green belt. The corporation authorities have been directed to develop 15 meters of area close to the boundary wall as green belt as per the environmental rules.

The Commissioner when asked whether the penalty will be paid from the pocket of the XEN or the government, he replied that he will have look the service rules for the answer.

Bathinda, July 16
The city railway station is facing a security threat as unknown migrants, beggars and ‘saints’ in saffron dresses have made it their home these days.

The railway police have turned a blind eye towards this. Many migrants have been seen staying on the platform for the past many days. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) have not done anything in this regard.

It is said that some migrants come here after committing crimes in other states. They are provided food, water and other basic facilities by social welfare organisations, due to which they always stay in and around the station.

It has often been reported that the so called saints in saffron dresses create ruckus at the station after drinking alcohol. Names of some of them have figured in many incidents of fighting.

Sources in the Railway Department said passengers have to face problems due to the migrants staying at the station. One of the passengers has also submitted a complaint to the Railway Department.

Many passengers have said that saints (sadhus) are often found in objectionable positions at the station but no action has ever been taken by the GRP and the RPF against them.

Passengers along with their families have to face embarrassment due to this.

Railway officials admitted that problems have increased due to the saints and migrants staying at the station.

They litter garbage anywhere at the station and there is always the fear of untoward incidents taking place.

“We want that the migrants and saints staying at the station should be taken away somewhere but it is the duty of the RPF and the GRP, who don’t care much about the issue,” an official said.

RPF in-charge Rajesh Rohilla said their officials keep full surveillance round the clock at the station but they have to face problems due to shortage of staff.

He said he was taking the issue on priority and miscreants would be dealt strictly.

Bathinda, July 16
Poor monsoon has lead to a delay in the transplantation of basmati crop in the district. Farmers fearing drought have not sown their crop and are waiting for the rains to come.

Farmers are facing a terrible situation due to scarcity of water to irrigate their fields. Though the government has claimed to provide eight hour power supply for paddy transplantation, they feel helpless as the promised power supply has not materialised.

Delayed monsoons have increased input costs and led to losses to the farmer. Paddy transplantation usually ends in June. But this year, the process is still on with about 10 per cent areas yet to be completed.

In areas where transplantation has been completed, farmers find it difficult to keep the required water level in their fields.

Nachatar Singh, a farmer from Naruana village, said, “In our area, about 10 per cent transplantation is still left. Even the labourers sit idle in a situation like this.”

“I want to transplant basmati in eleven acres, but I will have to wait for the rains. Due to delayed monsoon, I am unable to provide water to the already sown paddy crop,” said Rajwinder Singh, a farmer from Bhokra village.

Talking about the erratic power supply, Joginder Singh, a farmer, said the government had totally failed to provide any support to the farmers facing problems due to poor monsoon. Contrary to the government claims of providing eight hour power supply, farmers don’t even get it 4-5 hours.

Expert said due to delay in transplantation of basmati, the crop will not be up to the expectations.

He said delay in monsoon had also increased the input costs for the farmers as they have to spend more on running diesel generators.

A brief spell of showers was witnessed in the evening but it failed to bring much relief to the farmers.

Fact file

* Farmers are facing a terrible situation due to scarcity of water to irrigate their fields

* Delayed monsoons have increased input costs and led to losses for the farmers

* Paddy transplantation usually ends in June. But this year, the process is still on with about 10 per cent areas yet to be completed

Bathinda, July 16
The issue of a professor being slapped by outsiders on the campus of Punjabi University Guru Kashi Regional Campus in Talwandi Sabo snowballed today after the teachers got together and staged a protest against the college management for the lapse in security.

As per information, a group of professors was having tea at the canteen when unidentified boys drove in on a motorcycle and slapped one of the teachers. The accused immediately ran away.

In their hurry to leave the campus, the boys left their motorcycle behind, which was later handed over to the police.

Taking a serious note of the lapse in security arrangements, the teachers today boycotted classes and staged a protest.

They were joined by students in their protest. The students demanded that the campus should offer more seats in some of the courses so that more students can avail the opportunity of studying in a government college.

Principal Dr MP Singh said, “The college management condemns the incident. We have lodged a complaint with the police. We want the law to take its own course.”

He said the management was under tremendous pressure to increase the number of seats but they could not do so as the college infrastructure would not be able to support any expansion.

Bathinda, July 16
Accusing the PSPCL chairman of mismanaging the availability and supply of power, the PSEB Engineers’ Association alleged that KD Chaudhri, chariman-cum-managing director (CMD) of PSPCL, had added to the miseries of the and had tarnished the image of the state government.

The association has demanded his resignation on moral grounds.

Members of the association alleged that instead of owning up its failures, the PSPCL management was now shirking its responsibility by rolling out big advertisements in newspapers on public expense and indulging in spreading false propaganda by providing false data to the people.

They said within a week of having published a full page advertisement regarding sufficient power availability, PSPCL management has back-tracked from its superfluous claims by issuing another advertisement explaining the reasons for failure to meet the demand.

The management had wasted public money for these advertisements, they added.

The association has been supporting a balance of power generation in public and private sectors.

The association’s point was endorsed by many power sector experts, including PSERC (Punjab State Electricity Regulation Corporation), but the PSPCL management headed by KD Chaudhri did not pay heed to it.

The management even failed to kick start the state sector’s 1,320 MW Mukerian thermal plant in spite of the Punjab government’s approval in 2011.

Mansa, July 16
With the objective of making the environment clean and green, the administration of Mansa and Bathinda has initiated a plantation drive. The Mansa administration will seek the help of MNREGA in this endeavour.

The Mansa administration will provide around 10 lakh saplings for the drive. Mansa Deputy Commissioner Parveen Kumar Thind said around 8 lakh saplings would be planted under the MNREGA scheme while the Forest Department would plant around 2 lakh saplings.

The saplings will be provided to different panchayats and NGOs. Besides this, tree guards will also be provided. All the main common areas will be covered under the drive.

Main areas like hospitals, bus stand, graveyards, police stations, district jails, dispensaries, panchayat homes and other public places will be covered at priority. NGOs in the district will be volunteer participants.

Mansa Deputy Commissioner Parveen Kumar Thind appealed to the public to participate in the drive and plant saplings at suitable places.

He said, “Along with the NGOs and panchayats who will contribute to the drive, the public will also play a crucial role. We have appealed to the people to take care of the trees and the tree guards. We all have to collectively put in efforts to make the movement successful.”

Similarly, the Bathinda district administration has also started a green drive under which it will plant around 2 lakh saplings.

Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Basant Garg started the green drive a few days ago. 

Bathinda, July 16
The district police claimed to have arrested Sarabjit Singh of Kotli Kala village with ten boxes of country-made liquor.

They have registered a case against him under the Excise Act. The police said the accused was caught red handed during inspection at a barrier installed at Mann Beebriyan village in Mansa district. —TNS

Bathinda, July 16
A theft took place at Friend’s Medical Store in Hospital Bazaar on Monday night. Some unidentified persons attempted to set the shop on fire but when they were unsuccessful in doing so, they stole Rs 5,000 from the shop.

MP Garg, owner of the shop, said he left the shop as usual after locking it on Monday night but when his son went to the shop last morning at around 8 am, he found that diesel was sprayed on medicines.

A can of diesel was also lying in the shop, he said.

After getting information, a police party of the Kotwali police station reached the spot and started the investigation.

SHO, Kotwali police station, Mahesh Saini, said it was the work of some anti-social elements and they had started doing the investigation after writing the DDR. — TNS

Bathinda, July 16
The Vigilance Bureau claimed to have arrested a patwari of Sardulgarh red-handed with an amount of Rs 10,000 demanded by him as bribe.

As per the information, the complainant Jaswant Singh, a former Sarpanch of Ranjitgarh Bandar village in Sardulgarh, wanted to transfer his land to his cousin Naranjan Singh but the patwari Darshan Singh demanded Rs 20,000.

The complainant settled the deal at Rs 10,000 for getting the documents signed by the accused.

However, the complainant informed the Vigilance Bureau which caught the accused red-handed. The accused has been booked under Sections 7, 13 (2), and 88 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.