Dera Bassi, July 25
An orientation programme was organised for the new students by the management, faculty and staff on their first day in college at the Sri Sukhmani Polytechnic College, Dera Bassi, today.

The fresher students of all branches of computer science, civil engineering, electronics and communication, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and some other branches were in attendance.

The students were also briefed on the rules and regulations of the college and the university during the orientation programme.

Earlier, Prof Avtar Singh, chairman of Sri Sukhmani Group, welcomed the students to the organisation.

Chandigarh, July 25
The CBI Court of Special Judge Vimal Kumar today acquitted the eight accused, including an SDO of the Estate Office in the Progressive House Building Society scam.

The court acquitted all eight accused of all charges in building by-laws violation case of Sector 51. The CBI had alleged that due to violation of the building by-laws a loss to the state exchequer had occurred.

However, none of the charges were proved in the court, said defence counsel advocate Vishal Garg Nirwana.

Those acquitted include SDO TP Singh, assistant engineer Brij Mohan, junior engineers Vipin Kumar, Rakesh Kumar and Ram Kumar and architect UK Batra. Besides, president and general secretary of the society Kuldeep and Sukhdev Sharma, respectively, have also been acquitted in the case.

As per the case, Estate Office officials in connivance with the Progressive House Building Society gave permissions to residents to occupy the houses despite violations. 

Chandigarh, July 25
Local court today sentenced Pakistan spy to five years imprisonment for espionage. The convict has also been imposed a fine of Rs 16,000. The co-accused in the case, Anand Kumar, has been sentenced to two years and the court imposed a fine of Rs 4,000 on him.Yesterday, the court had convicted Kashif Ali, a resident of Faisalabad in Pakistan, of spying. 

He has been convicted under various Sections of the Official Secrets Act and the Foreigners Act, and under Sections 419 and 120-B of the IPC. Kashif Ali of Faisalabad was arrested in July 2010 when he was residing with a fake identity of Pawan Kumar in Sector 44, here. He had been residing in the city with a fake identity for the last two-and-a-half-years when he was finally nabbed. 

Another co-accused, Anand Kumar, has been convicted in a cheating case under Sections 419 and 120-B of the IPC. Three others accused in the case have been acquitted.Public prosecutor JP Singh argued that the accused, Kashif Ali, was passing information on national security to his handlers in Pakistan. The police had recovered sensitive information pertaining to national security from the possession of Kashif, who had been living in the city as Pawan Kumar, and called himself a native of Delhi. The police said the accused actually belonged to Zulfiqar Colony at Faisalabad in Pakistan, and he had been monitoring defence installations.

The police were alerted by a source about Kashif’s whereabouts, and they accordingly placed a barricade near the Laxmi Narain Temple in Sector 44 on July 11, 2010. The accused arrived in a blue Maruti car and was stopped for questioning. He gave his name as Pawan Kumar, a resident of Pitampura in Delhi, and claimed to be a hiring agent dealing with property. But later, he gave in and disclosed his real identity.The police then conducted a search on him and found a driving license issued in Delhi to his alias; a receipt issued by the Regional Passport Office, Chandigarh, to Pawan Kumar was also recovered from him. 

The police also recovered certain incriminating documents relating to the Indian Army and a digital camera. He was then arrested. “It is clear that he was planted by Pakistani intelligence agencies to gather information about India. He entered the country through either Bangladesh or Nepal, and was staying in Rajasthan before coming to Chandigarh,” the prosecution told the court. 

Chandigarh, July 25
Traffic moving from Chandigarh towards Patiala may not take a turn from under the flyover in the days to come. Justice Rajive Bhalla of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the State of Punjab to consider a proposal that allows the Patiala side traffic to take the flyover, move straight towards Delhi and then take a detour to the nroyal city.

If approved, the “dedicated” road for Patiala would reduce the traffic congestion on the existing Chandigarh-Patiala road. As the traffic regulation and road safety case came up for resumed hearing this morning, an officer of the Punjab PWD told the court that already a road was underconstruction by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority.

Once in place, the traffic would move towards Delhi and then move towards the Patiala side after the flyover. Taking a note of the developments, Justice Bhalla observed that the flyover had reduced the miseries to a large extent, it was causing immense difficulty to persons travelling to and fro to Patiala.

Justice Bhalla also took note of the fact that the Zirakpur bus stand had become operational on June 22 but the traffic plan had not been placed before the court. He also called for the submission of proposal for decongesting traffic at Baltana.

Chandigarh, July 25
Taking a note of a news report in these columns on the state of cycle tracks in the city, Justice Rajive Bhalla of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today observed that the pathways were indeed in “bad shape” before directing the Chandigarh Administration and the Municipal Corporation to carry out the repairs.

Justice Bhalla also directed the respondents to ensure the cyclists were encouraged to use the cycle tracks.

The authorities concerned too swung into action after the report appeared in the newspaper. A team of workers was pressed into service to repair the massive crevice filled with sludge and muck on the track abutting the road dividing Sectors 7 and 8 even before the clock struck 10 this morning.

Appearing on behalf of the UT authorities at about noon, a counsel then told the court that “most of the tracks had been repaired”. Referring to the news report, the counsel said the track was in the process of being repaired when the photograph was taken. He also blamed the media for finding faults and not giving the authorities a pat on the back for good work being done in the city.

His claim on repair, however, failed to convince the Bench and Justice Bhalla asserted that his own observation had revealed the “bad shape” of the tracks. Most of the pathways repaired were the ones visible to the who’s who of the city,while the ones used by the common men were neglected.

Justice Bhalla added that the tracks were also not used frequently; and questioned the counsel on providing facilities for locking the cycles around the parks and green belts in the city. Justice Bhalla also suggested that the media could play a positive role in ensuring frequent use of the tracks.

The counsel responded that they were now in the process of making concrete tracks and a contract for Rs 36 lakh had already been given. Referring to a suggestion of installing solar lights for illuminating the tracks, he said theft of the batteries prevented them from going ahead with the project. He also gave an undertaking in the court that in three months, all the tracks would be repaired and suggested another survey by The Tribune to verify the veracity of their claims after the expiry of the deadline.

On November 8 last year, Justice Bhalla had observed that the Municipal Corporation’s claims of having repaired the tracks under their control “appear to be prima-facie incorrect”.

“The Engineering Department and the the Municipal Corporation are directed to repair cycle tracks preferably within two months….. As regard lighting of cycle tracts, every effort be made to complete the lighting work within three months after obtaining due sanction from the authority concerned,” Justice Bhalla had added.

Dera Bassi, July 25
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice of motion to the Punjab Government over the extension of Dera Bassi Municipal, limits. The court had asked the government to file its reply on July 28.

Acting on a civil writ petition filed by Basant Singh, sarpanch of Issanpur village, on behalf of the village, challenging the government decision, the court has stayed the orders of the government in this regard.

In his orders, the court observes: counsel for the petitioners contends that the master plan was approved in 2009 and the area was declared as rural and agricultural and now the same had been included in the urban area, which was contrary to the provisions of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act, 1995.

Meanwhile, residents of Trivedi Camp village have expressed their resentment for excluding the village from the Dera Bassi limits.

Amar Chawla, a resident of the village, said that the government had been biased by excluding the village from including it in the municipality.

The government is forcibly trying to include the villages that are not interested in being a part of the municipality while the villages that want to be a part of the civic body, are being ignored, Chawla lamented.

In June, the Punjab Government had extended the limits of the Dera Bassi Municipal Council by including 15 villages.

The villages - Devi Nagar, Haripur Kuran, Janetpur, Bir Bakarpura, Mahmadpur, Dhanoni, Dera Jagadhari, Issanpur Rauni, Mubarikpur, Meerpur, Saipura, Gulabgarh, Mahiwala, Dandrala, and Mothanwali, have been merged with the existing Dera Bassi limits.

Three villages Bhankharpur and Trivedi Camp and Sadh Nagar have, however, have been exempted from the merger.

Moreover, the decision has come crashing down on seven panchayats, including Issanpur that had lodged their objections over the Punjab Government’s move to include their villages in the Dera Bassi municipal limits.

Panchkula, July 25
In yet another robbery in Panchkula, over five masked miscreants came in a Tata Safari stolen from the residence of a Punjab Sessions Judge and robbed a Haryana Roadways employee of cash and other valuables after injuring him with rods on the road separating Sectors 4 and 11 at 4.45 am here today.

The victim, Mukesh, is a conductor with the Haryana Roadways and was on his way to the Sector 5 bus stand from his room in Sector 4 to join duty. The robbers fled with Rs 7,000, a gold ring, ATM cards and bus tickets.

Yesterday, the robbers had targeted a man near the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium using the same vehicle and took away his mobile.

It was after the Panchkula police control room flashed the number of the vehicle (CH 04 3191) that they got to know that the vehicle belonged to a Sessions Judge of Punjab, Harpreet Kaur Jeewan. The vehicle was stolen from her residence in Sector 40 by the miscreants late on Wednesday night. She is at present the Presiding Officer, State Transport Appellate Tribunal, Punjab.

“The robbers had covered their faces with black handkerchiefs. The vehicle first took a round of the main road thrice and then stopped in front of me. Four of them got down and hit me with rods. They snatched all my money and valuables and fled,” said Mukesh.

Soon after the incident, the victim was rushed to the General Hospital, Sector 6, from where he was discharged after first aid. A forensic team was called to the spot. The SHO of the Sector 5 police station, Inspector Munish Kumar, said, “We have flashed the number of the car and have got major clues. They will be arrested soon.”

Mohali, July 25
The Mohali Police have rounded up 20 persons for questioning in connection with the incidents of looting at farmhouses in Seonk village yesterday.

SSP Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti said the suspects were being questioned and their movements studied to determine whether they had any link with the crime.

The SSP suspected that the crime was the handiwork of an organised gang. The modus operandi of this gang was similar to that which was involved in the looting of occupants of a house in an orchard in a house at Kharar recently.

A gang of dacoits had struck at three farmhouses. While two of the targeted farmhouses were located in Seonk, near Mullanpur, the third was at Khuda Lahora, Chandigarh.

Six robbers attacked the occupants and locked the farmhouses before fleeing with the booty. At Seonk, the robbers took away some gold jewellery items and Rs 1,000 from two caretaker migrant families living there.

Mohali, July 25
The police have arrested a clerk of the Punjab School Education Board here on the charge of embezzlement of funds. SSP Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti said the board employee, Tarun Kumar, had been arrested. A written complaint had earlier been sent by the board’s finance and development officer-cum-inquiry officer to the SSP seeking the registration of a criminal case against Tarun, who was posted in the board’s salary branch. 

Chandigarh, July 25
The Chandigarh Police on Friday received a complaint of theft at an IPS officer’s official residence in Sector 39 here. The IPS officer is presently posted in Lucknow on a deputation.

In a complaint to the police, the officer’s wife stated that the lock of the main door of their house was changed by someone and belongings lying in the house were missing.

Sources said since the IPS officer was on a deputation, nobody was residing in the house for the last few months. The sources added that preliminary investigation revealed that it was not a case of theft. There were no signs of a forced entry into the house, which ruled out theft, the sources said. aGurmukh Singh, SHO, Sector 39 police station, said they have registered a Daily Diary Report (DDR) and have initiated an investigation into the case. “We have recorded the statements of the servant, which are being verified,” the SHO added. — TNS

Chandigarh, July 25
While congratulating the Indian contingent for bringing honours on the opening day and continuing their rampaging performance on the second day at the 20th Commonwealth Games (CWG), Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) director Sumitra R Jyotsi said: “Our sportspersons have made us proud by opening their medal tally right from the first day. The entire nation and sports fraternity is proud of them.”

On the opening day of the CWG games being held at Glasgow, Scotland, weightlifters Sukhen Dey and K Sanjita Chanu bagged a gold medal each while Indian judokas won two silvers and a bronze. A total of seven medals were clinched by the Indian contingent.

On the second day Abhinav Bhindra bagged gold in 10m rifle, while 16-year-old shooter Malaika Goel won a silver. Jyotsi said, “ We are hopeful of bagging more medals in other disciplines, including table tennis, boxing, athletics, as well. All sportspersons have put in tremendous efforts in training camps and I am sure they will bring in more laurels to the country.”

Panchkula, July 25
The 9th Ashwani Gupta Memorial District Badminton Championship got underway here today.

The championship was inaugurated by SS Phulia, Deputy Commissioner-cum-president, District Badminton Association (DBA), Panchkula.

Gian Chand Gupta, chairman, Ashwani Gupta Memorial Trust, and vice-president, DBA, Panchkula, welcomed the chief guest. During the event, Jatinder Mahajan, general secretary, DBA, Panchkula, apprised the chief guest about the achievement of the association.

The championship started with the matches of U-10 and U-13 categories.

Results of Day 1

U-10 Girls’ Single 1st Round: 1 Devika Sehag bt Deeya 31-7, 2 Jaspreet bt Nikita 31-24, 3 Bhavya bt Ridhima 31-12, 4 Alisha bt Hazel 31-12, 5 Dhristi duggal bt Eshita 31-7

U-10 Boy’s Single 1st round: 1 Bhavin Ahuja bt Arya 31-12, 2 Avyav bt Nishit 31-20, 3 Guransh bt Saksham 31-2, 4 Shiven Goyal bt Arin Verma 31-6, 5 Aryaman bt Utkarsh 31-6, 6 Agasthya bt Divay Sud 31-1

U-10 Boy’s 2nd Round: 1 Jayan bt Rudransh 31-2, 2 Guransh bt Saarish 31-6, 3 Auyav bt Harsheel 31-15, 4 Sidarth bt Maulik Kamboj 31-05, 5 Ishan Sehag bt Shiven Goyal 31-8, 6 Yatharth bt Atharv Aggarwal 31-1, 7 Aryaman bt Bhavin Ahuja 31-14

U-13 Girl’s Single 1st round: 1 Sanya bt Shreya 31-18, 2 Vanshika bt Sanskriti 31-06, 3 Nimanpreet bt Saanvi 31-31-23, 4 Ananya bt Jutika Jindal 31-19, 5 Akshita Sharma bt Tanishka 31-23

U-13 Girl’s 2nd round: 1 Arshia bt Diksha Diman 31-10, 2 Arishia bt Akshita 31-25, 3 Himanshi bt Vanshika 31-18, 4 Devika Sehag bt Shivali 31-03, 5 Ayushi bt Nimanpreet 31-10, 6 Khushi Dewan bt Himonshi 31-18

U-13 Boy’s Single 1st round: 1 Jayan bt Bhavyadeep 31-27, 2 Randeep Singh bt Dhruv Sood 31-2, 3 Rahul Sikka bt Arindam 31-11, 4 Hemnish bt Ananya Sardana 31-5, 5 Dhruc bt Nitiyam 31-8, 6 Aryan Berwal bt Avi Anand 31-12, 7 Shreshth bt Karandeep Singh 31-16, 8 Samridh bt Aditya 31-10, 9 Yuvam Gupta bt Sidhant 31-4, 10 Sumit bt Prtivik Mahajan 31-3, 10 Chaitanya bt Rohit Bhardwaj 31-30

U-13 boy’s Single 2nd round: Anushrav bt Hemnish 31-3, Yuvam Gupta bt Vanshaj Gaur 31-27, Randeep Singh bt Adhiraj 31-12, Samridh bt Aryan Berwal 31-16, Dhruv bt Jayan 31-13, Karan Sharma bt Chaitanya 31-8, Sangam Sharma bt Shresth 33-31, Sumit bt Rahul Sikka 31-28 

Chandigarh, July 25
Vivek High School, Sector 38, here today entered he semifinals of Br Meredith Football Tournament after defeating the host St John’s School, Sector 26, here by scoring 2-0. The tournament was held at St John’s School, Sector 26.

A goal each by Aryansh and Pratham guided the Vivek High School team to victory in the inter-school boys’ U-11 football tournament. 

Chandigarh, July 25
The football (boys’) team of the Saupin’s School, Sector 32, brought laurels to their school by defeating Vivek High School, Sector 38, in the knockout match (4-0) in the Pre-Subrito International Football Tournament U-14 being held at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22, here, today.

The tournament is being organised by the UT Education Department.

Two goals by Sujal and one each by Shourya and Gurnoor propelled their team towards victory.

In the quarterfinals, Saupin’s will play against Strawberry Fields, Sector 26, tomorrow.