Kaithal, August 9
Left with no other option but to fight a legal battle for the control of Haryana gurdwaras after the Supreme Court directed status quo over the raging row between SGPC and HSGMC, the latter has decided to hire top legal brains of the country to fight the case.

The HSGMC authorities, during an emergency meeting at Cheeka Gurdwara today, formed a five-member committee to take all decisions pertaining to the legal battle.

After the bhog of Akhand Path in darbar hall of Chhevin and Novin Patshahi Gurdwara of Cheeka, the executive body of the HSGMC held an emergency meeting to brainstorm over urgent issues. During the meeting, two committees were formed, including a five -member committee to prepare strategies for activities, such as hiring of advocates, and for other necessary matters pertaining to court. The second committee, having seven members, was formed to launch a struggle to seek justice for Kurukshetra police cane charge victims.

“We have formed the five-member committee and have shortlisted two names of prominent advocates of the country, including T P S Tulsi and Kapil Sibal. The final decision would be taken by the committee, led by our president Jagdish Singh Jhinda,” Joga Singh, general sectary of the HSGMC, told The Tribune after the meeting.

The other issues discussed during meeting include financial problems being faced by the committee as till date the members and the president claimed that they were meeting all the expenses by contributing money from their pockets.

During the meeting, it was also decided that the HSGMC will only accept the five-member panel of Akal Takhat if all five members are selected with its consent as Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal would try his level best to include his supporters in the panel, they alleged.

“Badal does not have faith either in the SC or the Akal Takhat as he has got a case filed in the SC from an SGPC member and simultaneously, he has been pressing the Akal Takhat to form a panel of experts. It all has been done by Badal just to create confusion and further aggravate the situation,” said HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda after the meeting.

Points of discussion Two committees formed for legal battle against SGPC and struggle for Kurukshetra police victims HSGMC's finances, recruitment, opening of accounts HSGMC will only accept Akal Takhat's 5-member panel if all members are selected with its consent

Rewari, August 9
Acting on a complaint alleging large-scale irregularities in the recruitment process for teaching and non-teaching staff at Indira Gandhi University (IGU), Meerpur, Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, who is also the chancellor of the varsity, has not only stayed the recruitment process, but also sought a reply from the varsity authorities regarding the allegations.

The varsity received the stay order through fax from the chancellor office on Wednesday evening, a day before the executive council (EC) meeting was to be held to approve the selection of teaching and non-teaching staff members.

The authorities had to postpone the meeting after the chancellor’s order, said the sources. As per sources, two professors — Dr Nikhilesh Yadav and Dr Subhash Chander Sharma — of the varsity had filed a complaint with the Chancellor on July 28 against the recruitment process being adopted by the authorities and demanded a high-level probe into the matter. “The varsity authorities have committed brazen violation of the ordinance at every step while carrying out the recruitment process. Committees were not formed as per rules to follow the prescribed procedure with an intention to benefit favourite candidates,” said the complaint.

The complainants have also demanded a high-level probe into the matter as it was directly associated with the future of several meritorious aspirants. Meanwhile, the varsity vice chancellor Mahender Kumar while rubbishing the allegations claimed no irregularity and illegality had been made in the recruitment procedure.

“We have followed all procedure as per rules while carrying out the recruitment of around 140 posts of teaching and non-teaching posts. After receiving the stay order, we have almost prepared the reply and it will be submitted within a couple of days,” said the vice chancellor.

He said action would be taken as per the directives to be issued by the chancellor after going through the reply.

Chandigarh, August 9
The Congress ticket in the Assembly elections comes with no guarantees even for sitting legislators with the party’s Election Committee assigning its members the task of giving a feedback on “winnable” candidates from all 90 seats.

At the first meeting of the Election Committee, the members decided the broad framework of selection of the candidates, giving weightage to loyalty and performance in previous elections, his report card on anti-party activity and the caste equation.

While it was decided to give maximum representation to youth and women in the ticket allotment, sources said the committee even deliberated on fielding senior leaders in the Assembly elections. The suggestion assumes significance since all former members of Parliament, who had lost the recently contested Lok Sabha elections, are free and looking to be accommodated.

Sources said the dissent-driven Congress, in an attempt to counter the negative publicity it is getting by way of leaders quitting the party, may field big names to create an impression of unity especially in the face of the BJP launching an aggressive campaign in the state.

Sources said a number of suggestions came up during the meeting attended by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, state unit chief Ashok Tanwar, Hooda-detractor Rajya Sabha MP Selja and ministers Kiran Choudhry, Capt Ajay Yadav, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Aftab Ahmed among others.

Sources said despite the open manifestation of hostility between the two camps in the Congress over the last few days with leaders threatening to resign, the leaders today decided to contest the elections unitedly.

“The party has decided to give greater representation to youth and women. The broader criteria the committee has fixed includes the social configuration of the district and constituency, the winnability of the aspirant based on feedback from various sources, whether he has been in anyway involved in anti-party activity in the past etc.,” said Tanwar.

The next meeting of the committee has been fixed for August 25 when the members will present their findings about the applicants based on which candidates will be short-listed. The recommendations of the committee will be sent to the screening committee which will forward these to the party’s central election committee for a final stamp.

New Delhi, August 9
The Congress has drawn up a comprehensive list of Haryana leaders it believes could leave the party if not engaged in time.

The list was drawn after Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi asked for details of potential quitters to manage the party affairs in Haryana better.

The Tribune has learnt from top Congress sources that the list has been submitted to Sonia and Rahul and comprises over two dozen names, among them leaders considered close to Birender Singh whose formal exit from the Congress is set to upset the political apple cart in favour of the BJP which Singh is joining shortly.

The names include some sitting MLAs, senior former MPs of the party and close to 10 former MLAs. Most of these leaders are ticket seekers and would leave the party if denied a chance to contest the Assembly elections.

Sources in the Congress said the list was essential after close to 13 leaders – veteran and others – quit the party over the past two years, changing the political equations in the state. Some 17 leaders, it is learnt, are on the potential quitters list of the Congress which is set to placate the leaders.

“The idea is to engage with these leaders and prevent situations wherein they could leave. Some leaders are expected to go on account of their proximity to Birender Singh. Some are expecting party tickets and will go anyway if denied tickets,” said Congress sources adding that the party was watching the activities of close to two dozen potential quitters.

Meanwhile sources today said the Congress leadership had already successfully placated the senior most leaders who were very unhappy.

Among them are Capt Ajay Yadav and Kiran Choudhry, both ministers in the Cabinet of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The list drawn up by the Congress not just lists names of people who are likely to quit, it also lists reasons why they may prefer to exit the party tomorrow. 

Party on shaky ground List submitted to Sonia and Rahul, party watching their activities Most of these leaders are ticket seekers and will leave the party if denied a chance to contest the Assembly polls Rahul Gandhi

Safidon (Jind), August 9
Unwilling to break his alliance with the BJP, HJC chief Kuldeep Bishnoi appears to be treading cautiously these days and does not want to give any negative impression from his end. Three days after the expiry of his set deadline to take a final decision, he refused to predict anything about his alliance with the BJP at a rally held in Safidon today.

Interestingly he did not directly announce the candidate’s name at the rally, but conveyed to the voters to support his candidate.

“Karmbir Saini will be a minister in our government after the forthcoming elections. Both Karmbir and I will go to the state Assembly after the forthcoming elections and Safidon will see development,” said Bishnoi.

A ticket aspirant from Safidon, Karmbir, who had been with the Congress for the last 30 years and worked at many senior positions; he resigned from the post of spokesman of the Haryana Pardesh Congress Committee (HPCC) in July, after he did not get a positive response for getting a ticket from the area.

“We are following coalition principles and there is no problem from our side,” said Bishnoi.

Kurukshetra, August 9
The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has prepared a charge sheet with details of alleged irregularities of the Hooda-led government that would be submitted to the Haryana Governor soon, informed INLD leader Abhay Chautala.

He attended a workers’ meeting here on Friday night and called upon the party workers to gear up for the elections and help INLD sitting Thanesar MLA Ashok Arora to retain office.

Talking to mediapersons, Abhay said, “The INLD has prepared its chargesheet and very soon we will submit it to the Haryana Governor. Besides submitting it the party will demand suspension of Hooda-Government and imposition of President’s rule in the state.”

Criticising the Hooda government, Abhay said, “The government has done nothing but discrimination with the people of this region. There is no job guarantee and the law and order is extremely poor. We have mentioned all the scams, controversial land deals and irregularities in the chargesheet and will ask the Governor to take appropriate action against Hooda.” — TNS

Sirsa, August 9
Knowledge about distribution of huge amount of money by candidates to influence voters for the assembly polls notwithstanding, the Election Commission (EC) cannot do anything till the model code of conduct comes into force.

Sirsa Deputy Commissioner – cum – District Election Officer Anshaj Singh, who constituted committees to monitor the expenditure by candidates, observance of model code of conduct by the political parties and other poll-related duties today, said the authorities can do nothing to stop candidates from distributing money as the role of the EC begins only after the announcement of polls.

Karnal, August 9
The BSP today announced Maratha Virender Verma as its candidate from the Assandh Assembly segment. Maratha had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2009 and 2014 on the BSP ticket from Karnal. — TNS

Gurgaon, August 9
In a sensational arrest, the Gurgaon police today nabbed a 32-year-old Hisar resident, who was acting as a judge and duping people of several crores in addition to blackmailing girls using their objectionable videos and pictures.

Interestingly the accused had been befooling people for the last seven years and rubbing shoulders with city’s who’s who including police higher ups.

Ashish Sen had hired two personal security officers and rented a red beacon luxury car to carry his fraud forward and ensure that nobody including the administration high ups, who frequented his parties ever suspected him.

He duped many of several crores of rupees promising to get them flats allotted from HUDA. It was when a resident of Cyber City, Sector 18, complained to the police that Ashish Sen had been continuously blackmailing her, the police constituted a CIA team that researched about the accused only to find that no man with the same name was part of judicial services of the state.

Faridabad, August 9
With the strike by employees of the Municipal Corporation, Faridabad, (MCF) completing 16 days today and no breakthrough in sight, filth and stink has gripped parts of the city. While cleanliness has emerged as a major problem, a large number of complaints of choked sewers are lying pending.

While the agitating employees are demanding immediate regularisation of around 2,500 employees working on contracts, the authorities claimed that the issue had been taken up with the state government.

Naresh Shastri, chief of the Nagarpalika Sangh, spearheading the stir, said the problem persisted mainly due to the delay in action on part of the authorities concerned.

He said the employees who had been seeking regularisation of staff for the past over 15 years had been denied their due and the injustice finally culminated in an indefinite strike.

On other hand, officials of the MCF claimed that the matter had been taken up with the CM office, which was likely to take final action in the next cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile, parts of the city have become victims of filthy conditions.

“Heaps of garbage and overflowing sewers have become a common sight in the city as there is none who can do the job during the strike,” claimed Ram Kumar, president of the Senior Citizens Welfare Council of Sector- 7. While complaints of choking of sewer lines had come from all pockets of the sector, the residents were forced to hire private persons to do the job at hefty rates, he added.

“The strike seems to have come handy for some individuals who, despite being on strike officially, are doing the job privately by charging heftily,” said D P Sharma, a retired official. He said while the MCF ought to hire new workers to ensure cleanliness, it was the residents who were at the receiving end due to the strike. “Stink and heaps of garbage have taken over several parts as the problem has stretched too long to test the patience of people,” said Amarjeet Singh, a resident of Sector- 17.

Sirsa, August 9
The ghost of Geetika Sharma’s suicide case is likely to haunt former minister Gopal Kanda during the assembly elections in Haryana.

Kanda recently launched his own outfit, Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP).

Under a campaign, launched against him by State Congress president Ashok Tanwar’s wife Avantika Maken Tanwar, hundreds of Sirsa residents participated in a candle light march last night to seek justice for Geetika Sharma.

Though Avantika herself was not present in the march, Sunita Setia, daughter of former minister Lachhman Dass Arora and a contender for Congress ticket from Sirsa, Reena Birat, District Mahila Congress president, Hoshiari Lal Sharma, former state Congress spokesperson, and Bhupesh Mehta, block Congress president, were among those who participated.

Setia said their drive would continue till Geetika’s family got justice.

Geetika Sharma, a former airhostess of the MDLR Airlines, owned by Gopal Kanda, had committed suicide on August 5, 2012, accusing Kanda for her taking the extreme step.

Kanda is facing trial in Geetika Sharma’s suicide case and is presently on bail, after spending nearly one and a half year in jail.

Avantika had launched “Justice for Geetika” drive on social networking site Facebook from August 5, 2014, Geetika’s second death anniversary.

The drive has been receiving a plethora of comments from people, some of them in support of Avantika and some defending Kanda.

A seemingly fake ID, created under the name of “kattar fan of Kanda” (Kanda’s ardent fan) has written a phrase “next CM Gopal Kanda” at least a hundred times in response to Avantika’s posts on this issue.

Chandigarh, August 9
Up in arms against atrocities on Dalits, members of the National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR) held a ‘Dalit Jan Aakrosh’ convention at Dr BR Ambedkar Bhawan here today.

The NACDOR also decided to continue its ‘march’ in Haryana for expressing discontent of the Dalits against the state government for inaction in cases.

Ramdas Athawale, a member of Rajya Sabha and president of Republican Party of India (RPI), promised all support to the NACDOR and the Dalit Rights Activists.

He claimed that the community had always been facing highhandedness of the upper class and politicians and bureaucrats had failed to develop the country Dr BR Ambedkar had dreamt of. He also asked the gathering to continue their struggle against the atrocities peacefully and not to bow down against the violence and dominance of the criminals.

Athawale also appreciated the activist who started the march on June 22 from Palwal and reached Chandigarh today. Ashok Bharti, chairman of NACDOR, accused the state government of spending scantily on the development of Dalits and backward communities

He stated that the Haryana Government was spending only one per cent of its budget for the welfare of Dalits whereas the population of Dalits in the state was 20 per cent.

He stated that the state was completely violating the norms and provisions set by the Central Government for the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan. He revealed that a study by NACDOR showed that 4,497 incidents of atrocities against Dalits were reported in the last 20 years. In last 10 years, 122 Dalits were murdered, 503 Dalit women were raped, 218 were kidnapped, 24 cases of setting property on fire were reported and 353 other kind of atrocities were registered.

Fatehabad, August 9
Angry kin and members of the Balmiki community blocked vehicular traffic on National Highway-10 for several hours today and damaged some vehicles and other properties after a youth was shot dead around midnight near Fatehabad bus stand.

The victim, 31-year-old Bharat, a resident of Balmiki Chowk of Fatehabad, had gone to a teashop outside the bus stand to purchase a pack of biscuits when three motorcycle-borne youths shot at him from back. The bullet pierced through the victim’s body. The onlookers shifted Bharat to General Hospital, Fatehabad, but he died on the way.

Angry family members of the victim went on a rampage at Laal Batti Chowk at 8.30 am and blocked vehicular traffic for about four hours.

The agitators placed barricades at several places on the NH by bending a streetlight pole and placing rehris and sign boards of shopkeepers in the middle of the road. The agitators demanded immediate arrest of the accused.

The police have booked Rai Singh, a former PA of Nalwa MLA Sampat Singh, his son Satish, Anoop, Garonda, Sonu, Subhash and Sheelu for the murder under Sections 302, 120-B of the IPC and Sections 24, 25, 27 and 59 of the Arms Act.

Sonepat, August 9
A middle-aged woman of Liwan village was allegedly raped by Sat Pal of the same village while she had gone to the fields to bring green fodder last evening.

In her complaint, the victim alleged that Sat Pal raped her and escaped after committing the crime. On reaching home, she narrated the incident to her family members.